MaxPreps 2017 CIF Northern Section preseason high school baseball Fab 5, presented by the Army National Guard

Video: Diving catch straight into a wall
Tyler Pettigrew of Henley (Klamath Falls, Ore.) made one of the top catches during the 2016 season.


1. Red Bluff
Head coach: Ryland Sanders
2016 record: 23-11

Two years removed from winning the Northern Section Division 2 championship, the Spartans could be the favorite again in 2017. Coach Ryland Sanders returns six of the top eight offensive performers from last year, led by senior infielder Kolby Button, who batted .406 with 24 RBIs, and senior infielder Payton Edwards, who batted .382 with 23 RBIs. Red Bluff returns 15 wins on the mound, led by Button's 8-2 record and a 0.94 ERA. Wesley Clawson also returns after going 3-3 with a 2.12 ERA.

See last season's Northern Section baseball computer rankings presented by the Army National Guard

2. Pleasant Valley (Chico)
Head coach: Thomas Whitsett
2016 record: 17-8
Former Viking standout Thomas Whitsett takes over as head coach at Pleasant Valley and he returns a strong group that includes one of the nation's top sophomores in Colin Barber. As a freshman, Barber earned MaxPreps All-American honors after batting .465 with 28 RBIs and eight doubles. Six of the top eight hitters return, including seniors Ryan Busby (.303), Colby Harrison (.391) and Mark Taylor (.344).

See the MaxPreps Northern Section baseball pro photo galleries

3. Winters
Head coach: Jeff Ingles
2016 record: 22-6-2

The defending Division 4 champions appear poised to repeat after losing just three senior starters. The pitching staff is loaded with 17 returning wins, including seven from junior Anthony Carrion (7-3, 2.48 ERA) and six from Greg Creamer (6-1, 2.23 ERA). Creamer earned All-Section honors last year after batting .462. Junior Sammy Gonzales was not far behind with a .436 batting average.

See last season's MaxPreps Northern Section baseball playoff brackets

4. Foothill (Palo Cedro)
Head coach: Todd Buck
2016 record: 21-10

The Cougars have averaged 22 wins per season during coach Todd Buck's eight years as head coach. Last year, Foothill fell to Red Bluff in the Division 2 semifinals. Three of the team's top players return, including catcher Billy Plummer (.289), infielder Bryan Harvey (.268, 3-2 pitching record) and outfielder Patrick Blake (.305).

See last season's MaxPreps Northern Section baseball stat leaders

5. Sutter
Head coach: Stewart Peterson
2016 record: 22-9

The Huskies have won five straight section championships, claiming the Division 3 title last year. Northern Section MVP Brendon Nelson has graduated, but three starters return, led by heavy-hitting Michael Boomgaarden (.341, five home runs), Jack Enos (.319, four home runs) and Justin Cryer (.408, two home runs). Boomgaarden also returns on the mound, where he went 3-1, along with junior Zachary McDaniel, who was 5-0 with a 1.00 ERA as a sophomore.