Breaking down the field at the National High School Invitational baseball tournament

Video: Top 10 Plays of the Winter
Steve Montoya looks back at the best plays of the winter sports season.

The seventh annual National High School Invitational in Cary, N.C., includes two nationally ranked teams, two returning tournament champions and nine of the nation's top 50-ranked players.

MaxPreps takes a look at where each team figures into the NHSI championship picture. The Favorites
Calvary Christian Academy (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.)
When the teams were announced for the NHSI, American Heritage figured to be the favorite. Calvary Christian Academy changed all that on March 16 when the Eagles handed the Patriots their first loss of the season. Calvary Christian Academy is the top-ranked team in the tournament, coming in at No. 4 in the Xcellent 25. The Eagles might have the deepest pitching staff in the tournament with four pitchers posting a 3-0 record with at least 18 strikeouts on the season. The Eagles tangle with Hattiesburg in their opener.

American Heritage (Plantation, Fla.)
The Patriots began the season ranked No. 1 in the nation. While a loss to Calvary Christian Academy has dropped American Heritage in the Xcellent 25 rankings, it still has to be considered among the favorites due to its explosive offense. The Patriots have scored in double figures in eight of their past nine games and have registered 18 home runs. Four Patriots have hit at least three home runs, led by All-American candidate Triston Casas. Cory Acton, meanwhile, has hit three home runs in one game this year. The pitching staff has also been on the mark with a 1.36 ERA and an opponent's batting average of just .167. The Patriots open with Santiago.

Returning champions
Orange Lutheran (Orange, Calif.)
The Lancers won the NHSI last year and they've brought in reinforcements this year in pitcher Cole Winn, a transfer from Colorado where he was the state's Gatorade Player of the Year in 2017. He's already racked up 33 strikeouts in 20 innings pitched this season. Orange Lutheran already has two losses this year, one to Dana Hills, the NHSI runner-up last year, and the other to Huntington Beach, the 2016 NHSI champion. Orange County teams have done quite well in the tournament, winning five of the past six events. The Lancers begin their tournament defense against Florence.

Mater Dei (Santa Ana, Calif.)
The Monarchs are off to a 1-4 start in 2018, but have to be one of the favorites in the NHSI based on their two tournament championships in 2012 and 2013. Mater Dei has a solid starting lineup that includes perhaps the best outfield in the tournament. Outfielder Vinny Tosti, a transfer from Cardinal Newman (Santa Rosa, Calif.) is ranked No. 7 in California by Perfect Game, while fellow outfielder Grant Burton is also ranked among the top 30 players in the state. Meanwhile, Emilio Rosas leads the infield defense at shortstop. The Monarchs open with O'Connor.

Formidable newcomers
John Curtis Christian (River Ridge, La.)
For nearly 50 years, the Patriots have been one of the nation's top football programs. However the baseball team, which is making its first appearance in the NHSI, has developed into a formidable program as well, going 31-6 last year and 17-2 to start 2018. Cade Beloso could be one of the top offensive performers in the tournament as he has hit seven home runs with 18 RBIs. The Patriots take on Hanover.

George Jenkins (Lakeland, Fla.)
The Eagles could be a dark horse in the tournament. Off to a 9-1 start, George Jenkins has two of the top players in Florida in outfielder Brady Allen and third baseman in Brandon Howlett. George Jenkins meets Chicago Mt. Carmel in its tournament opener.

Shaking off the rust
Hanover (Mechanicsville, Va.)
The Hawks have reached the state championship game four of the past five seasons, winning three state titles. Hanover has the disadvantage of having played just three games so far this season before heading to the NHSI. They do have one of the top pitchers in the tournament, however, in right-hander Jack Dragum. Hanover takes John Curtis Christian in the first round.

Chicago Mt. Carmel (Chicago)
The Caravan's season is little over a week old, but they've already racked up a 5-0 record and have outscored opponents 64-12. All-American outfielder Alek Thomas has been particularly impressive, posting an eight-RBI outing Monday in a 21-1 win over DePaul College Prep. The Caravan meets George Jenkins in its opener.
NHSI experience ... but
Florence (Ala.)
A tournament veteran, Florence played in the tournament in 2016. Cole Henry, an All-American candidate, had five strikeouts in a tournament win over First Academy during that appearance two years ago. Henry could start against defending tournament champion Orange Lutheran in the tournament opener. The Lancers may send All-American candidate Cole Winn to the mound, setting up pitcher's duel between two of the nation's best.

Walton (Marietta, Ga.)
The Raiders have been one of the top teams in Georgia for the past six seasons, posting three 30-win seasons including a 32-4 mark in 2016. Walton reached the semifinals of the 2016 NHSI and feature one of the better pitching staffs in the 2018 NHSI with All-American candidate Luke Bartnicki and right-hander Jacob Riordan. Walton takes on tournament host Green Hope.

All-American talent
Santiago (Corona, Calif.)
The Sharks feature one of the nation's top players in Brice Turang. The senior shortstop could be the No. 1 player chosen in the Major League Baseball draft in June. Santiago has the unenviable task of meeting American Heritage in the first round.

Trinity Prep (Winter Park, Fla.)
The Saints have struggled to a 5-6 record so far this year, but they can beat any team in the tournament when right-hander Slade Cecconi is on the mound. The All-American candidate can hit 96 with his fastball.

O'Connor (Phoenix)
The Eagles bring one of the most potent offenses to the tournament as they have bashed 16 home runs on the season including seven by Nolan Gorman. O'Connor is averaging over 10 runs a game, however the pitching staff is battling a 5.37 ERA over 88 innings pitched. O'Connor takes on two-time champion Mater Dei in its opener.

Green Hope (Cary, N.C.)
The tournament host reached the Class 4A state championship game in 2016 and is off to an 8-2 start this year. Green Hope went 16-9 last season and returns one of the nation's more dynamic players in Jordyn Adams, an outfielder who is batting .367 with two doubles and two triples this season. The North Carolina-bound Adams was one of the top receivers in a country during football season. Green Hope meets Walton in first round.

Hattiesburg (Miss.)
The Tigers have one of the nation's top combo players in Joe Gray, who is one of the top outfielders and pitchers in the tournament. He's hit five home runs on the season and he also has 20 strikeouts on the mound. Hattiesburg battles Calvary Christian Academy in the first round.

Mountain Ridge (Glendale, Ariz.)
The Mountain Lions possess one of the nation's top southpaw pitchers in Matthew Liberatore. He's already struck out 14 in a game earlier this year and is a possible top 10 draft pick. The NHSI could have one of the best pitching matchups in the season if Liberatore and Trinity's Prep's Slade Cecconi face off in the first round.