MaxPreps 2017 Illinois preseason high school baseball Fab 5, presented by the Army National Guard

Video: High school baseball throw of the year?
Providence Catholic's Tom Kelley shows off his arm with this throw to third.


1. Brother Rice (Chicago)
Head coach: John McCarthy
2016 record: 35-4

Brother Rice had one of the best seasons in school history last year, winning a school-record 35 games and winning a school-record 30 straight contests. Six starters return, led by potential MLB Draft pick Ryan Kutt, a right-handed pitcher committed to Illinois. Other potential draft picks include pitcher Jack Guzek and shortstop Ryan King.

See last season's Illinois baseball computer rankings

2. Chicago Mt. Carmel
Head coach: Brian Hurry
2016 record: 27-11 The Caravan finished in fifth place in the Chicago Catholic League last year, but they return one of the nation's top junior outfielders in Alek Thomas, who earned MaxPreps Sophomore All-American honors last year. Also back is All-Conference first baseman Bobby Seymour.

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3. Providence Catholic (New Lenox)
Head coach: Mark Smith
2016 record: 33-9

Providence Catholic won the Class 4A state championship last year despite finishing in the middle of the pack of the Chicago Catholic League. Four starters return from that group, including a pair of pitchers in Tyler Zarembka (7-2) and Kurt Dankovich (6-1). Outfielder Drew Hunniford is the top returning hitter with a .381 average.

See last season's MaxPreps Illinois baseball playoff brackets

4. Lemont
Head coach: Brian Storako
2016 record: 31-9

The Indians captured the Class 3A state championship last year with a 10-0 win over Springfield. A number of players return from that squad, led by third baseman KC Simonich, right-handed pitcher Ryan Sublette, catcher Rami Alul and shortstop Dominic Connolly. All four are signed to play college baseball next year. Sublette has a career record of 14-3, including 9-1 last year.

See last season's MaxPreps Illinois baseball stat leaders

5. St. Laurence (Burbank)
Head coach: Pete Lotus
2016 record: 31-9

St. Laurence had several big wins in the postseason, knocking off Chicago Mt. Carmel and Brother Rice before falling to Plainfield North in the quarterfinals. Matt McCormick, a sophomore catcher committed to West Virginia, is a future MLB prospect according to coach Pete Lotus, and leads a group of six players who are headed to play at the next level. Others include All-Area outfielder Jimmy Burnette and pitcher Joe Vascik.