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

Video: Jason Rooks HR in 12th
Watch Walton's Jason Rooks, one of the top-rated players in Georgia.


1. Walton (Marietta)
Head coach: Shane Amos
2016 record: 32-4

The defending Class AAAAAA champions appear more than capable of defending their title in 2017. The Raiders return outfielder Jason Rooks, an All-State selection who could go early in the Major League Baseball Draft in June. He's joined in the outfield by All-State pick Michael Guldberg, who has committed to Georgia Tech. The pitching should be solid with Forrest Wilson and Chris Rolick returning on the mound.

See last season's MaxPreps Georgia baseball computer rankings presented by the Army National Guard

2. Blessed Trinity (Roswell)
Head coach: Andy Harlin
2016 record: 33-4

The Titans were ranked among the top teams in the nation for most of 2016 before falling to Westminster in the Class AAA state finals. Five starters return from that team, including senior infielder David Dunn (.400) and senior infielder Jake Lundkovsky (.362). The pitching staff returns Auburn commit Peyton Glavine (6-0 record), son of Hall of Fame pitcher Tom Glavine.

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3. Etowah (Woodstock)
Head coach: Greg Robinson
2016 record: 22-9

Etowah knocked off defending state, and national, champion Parkview in the Class AAAAAA playoffs last year and reached the quarterfinals before losing to Norcross.The Eagles have one of the best players in the state in outfielder Drew Waters, who is ranked as the second-best prospect in the state by Perfect Game. Georgia State prospect Andrew Keene leads the pitching staff.

See last season's MaxPreps Georgia baseball playoff brackets

4. Allatoona (Acworth)
Head coach: Keith Hansen
2016 record: 25-5

The Buccaneers reached the second round of the Class AAAAA playoffs and return six starters from that team. Leading the way is potential early-round draft pick and South Carolina commit Kyle Jacobsen, a centerfielder and left-handed pitcher who batted .430 with 32 RBIs last year. Senior third baseman Skylar McPhee returns after earning All-State second team honors while left-handed pitcher Brian DeCarlo was an All-County choice. Junior catcher David Smith is a possible MLB Draft pick in 2018.

See last season's MaxPreps Georgia baseball stat leaders

5. Winder-Barrow (Winder)
Head coach: Brian Smith
2016 record: 25-7

The Bulldogs only made it to the second round of the Class AAAAA state playoffs, but they return nearly every starter from that team including a trio that rank among the best players in Georgia. Vanderbilt commit Pat DeMarco returns in the outfield while Kennesaw State recruit Beau Hanna is back at catcher. Will Hardigree, one of the state's top-ranked shortstops, also returns.