
Tristan Caldwell, Archbishop Mitty
File photo by Scott Dinn
2016 Central Coast Section Preseason Baseball Fab 5, presented by the Army National Guard
1. Archbishop Mitty (San Jose)
Head coach: Brian Yocke
2015 record: 20-11
The Monarchs have a new coach this year with Brian Yocke taking over the helm from long-time coach Bill Hutton. Mitty is in good shape this year with six starters returning, including junior pitcher
Haydn King (6-4, 1.70 ERA), and senior pitcher
Tristan Caldwell (2-1), senior infielder
Derek Bauerle (.270), senior catcher
Calvin Quittner (.235) and senior infielder
Nikolai Flowers (.241).
See last season's Central Coast Section baseball computer rankings2. Los Gatos
Head coach: Nate Anderson
2015 record: 30-6
The Wildcats reached the Open Division championship game in the Central Coast Section, falling to Saint Francis, 5-2. However seven starters return for Los Gatos, including all-state pitcher
Hunter Bigge, who has committed to Harvard. Bigge went 12-3 on the mound and also batted .387. The Wildcats also return pitchers
Jake Holton (9-2) and
Brooks Olesek (4-1).
See Central Coast Section baseball pro photo galleries3. Bellarmine College Prep (San Jose)
Head coach: Mike Rodriguez
2015 record: 17-11
The Bells finished in the middle of the pack in the West Catholic Athletic League, but they return four starters and their top pitcher from that team.
Sid Iyer went 6-1 with a 1.88 ERA last year while catcher
Will Wegner is the top returning hitter after batting .391 with a pair of home runs. Also back are senior infielder
Antonio Garcia (.273), junior outfielder
Connor Mack (.311) and senior infielder
Wolfie Rehbock (.236).
See last season's Central Coast Section baseball playoff brackets4. Wilcox (Santa Clara)
Head coach: David Currie
2015 record: 22-12
The defending DeAnza League champions and the 2014 Central Coast Section Open Division champions advanced to the second round of the Open Division playoffs last year before being eliminated by Saint Francis. Wilcox will miss league MVP Robert Gaylor, who has graduated, but they return all-league first team selection
Jacob Martinez and all-league second team pick
Marcos Cervantes.
See last season's Central Coast Section baseball stat leaders5. Hillsdale (San Mateo)
Head coach: James Madison
2015 record: 27-3
The Fighting Knights finished undefeated in league play last year, but lost in the second round of the Division II playoffs. However four starters return, led by
Riki Urata, who batted .444 with 24 RBIs and nine doubles. He's joined by
Brett Wetteland (.330, 26 RBIs),
David Badet (.403, 9 doubles) and
Andrew Yarak (.400, 30 RBIs).
Note: Rankings do not include Saint Francis, which is ranked in the California overall Fab 5.