MaxPreps 2016 Louisiana preseason high school baseball Fab 5, presented by the Army National Guard

1. St. Thomas More (Lafayette)
Head coach: Gary Perkins
2015 record: 30-9

A strong second half of the 2015 season resulted in a Class 4A state championship for the Cougars, who also won the state title in 2014. They will miss all-state picks Hogan Harris, Brennan Breaux and Oneal Lochridge, but a number of key players return, led by third baseman Mason Templet (.344), pitcher/first baseman Mason Tucker (7-0, 1.22 ERA), infielder Christian Leonard (.333) and infielder Will Bellamy (.281).

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2. Barbe (Lake Charles)
Head coach: Glenn Cecchini
2015 record: 34-10

The two-time defending Class 5A state champion, and the 2014 No. 1 team in the nation by MaxPreps, Barbe returns a young group of players that includes one of the nation's top junior pitchers in Adam Goree (6-2, 2.57 ERA). Other key players include junior shortstop Kirkland Banks (.272), senior pitcher Tyler Booth (8-2), junior outfielder Tanner Littleton (.190), junior second baseman Peyton Doumite (.228) and junior first baseman Slate Fuller (.336).

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3. Catholic-B.R. (Baton Rouge)
Head coach: Brad Bass
2015 record: 37-5

The Bears reached the Class 5A state championship game, falling to Barbe in the finals. Catholic returns some of the state's top players, including senior shortstop Josh Smith (ranked No. 4 in the state by Perfect Game), pitcher Brian Fairbanks and junior pitcher Parker Evans. Catholic is just three years removed from winning the Class 5A state championship. The Bears also won the state crown in 2010.

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4. John Curtis Christian (River Ridge)
Head coach: Jeff Curtis
2015 record: 26-3

The Class 3A state champions return the MaxPreps National Sophomore Player of the Year in Daniel Cabrera, who batted .566 with six home runs, and also went 6-1 on the mound with 60 strikeouts and a 1.79 ERA. The Patriots have a deep pitching staff with Nick Wilson (5-0), Kyle Burns (3-2) and Austin Haensel (3-0) joining Cabrera on the mound. Senior outfielder Mason Matherne (.352) joins Cabrera as one of the team's top returning hitters.

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5. Ouachita Christian (Monroe)
Head coach: LaBrian Wells
2015 record: 28-4

The Class 1A state champions can't be overlooked as one of the state's top teams despite a small enrollment. The Eagles have won five state championships in the past decade and they return some of the state's top-ranked players, including senior shortstop Jake Slaughter (No. 2 in the state by Perfect Game) and senior second baseman Ryan Reynolds (No. 5 in the state). Righthander Aaron George (6-foot-5, 225 pounds) leads the pitching staff while Mavrick Wilhite is the top outfielder.