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

1. Hamilton (Chandler)
Head coach: Mike Woods
2015 record: 29-4

The Huskies lost in the state semifinals last year to Liberty (Peoria), but six starters return from a squad that won 29 games. Included in that group are Hamilton's top hitter and one of the team's leading pitchers from last season. Nick Brueser was a MaxPreps Sophomore All-American last year after batting .447 with nine home runs. The Stanford commit will play first base and pitch for the Huskies. Zane Strand is the top returning pitcher after going 8-1 with a 1.81 ERA. He's headed to Arizona State. Other top returners include Logan Boyer (C/RHP), Drew Swift (Jr., SS), Cole Bellinger (Jr., 2B/RHP) and Ricky Ramsdell (Jr., OF).

See last season's Arizona baseball computer rankings

2. Tucson High Magnet School
Head coach: Oscar Romero
2015 record: 30-7

The Badgers reached the Division II championship game before falling to Canyon Del Oro. At least four starters return for Tucson Magnet, led by sophomore shortstop Alex Kelch (.347) and junior second baseman Jacob Federico (.295). Senior outfielder Kyle Rivera (.300) and senior third baseman Martin Garcia (.326) also return along with the  team's top pitcher from last year, senior Jose Contreras (8-1).

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3. Centennial (Peoria)
Head coach: Mike Oesterle
2015 record: 20-14

The Coyotes return all but two starters from a team that had the misfortune of playing eventual state champion Mesquite in the first round of the playoffs and Hamilton in the loser's bracket. Centennial will look to build on last year's 20-win season with Isaac Steele (.289), Nick Espinoza (.365) and Nick McAdams (.354) leading the way on offense. One of the team's top pitchers returns in senior Chaz Montoya (5-2).

See last season's Arizona baseball playoff brackets

4. Cactus Shadows (Cave Creek)
Head coach: Gaetano Gianni
2015 record: 23-7-1

The Falcons posted their best season last year since winning the state championship in 2006. Cactus Shadows returns 19 pitching wins, including its top three arms: Dellan Raish (8-1), Carter Robinson (5-1) and Jacob Horn (3-3). The Falcons lose just four starters and return seniors Ben Rodenburg (.311), Matt Sill (.273) and Ben Reiners (.278), plus juniors Joe Palanzo (.392) and Scott Mehan (.384).

See last season's Arizona baseball stat leaders

5. Mountain Ridge (Glendale)
Head coach: Lance Billingsley
2015 record: 24-11

The Mountain Lions knocked Hamilton into the loser's bracket in last year's Division I playoffs and were eliminated from the playoffs with losses to the two finalists, Mesquite and Liberty. Nearly every starter returns, along with the bulk of the pitching staff, though. The entire infield of Matthew Dyer (C, .302), Tristan Thomas (3B, .360), Cameron Cannon (SS, .412), Devin Ray (2B, .351) and Alex Roth (1B, .339) come back. Junior Tommy Lowe (5-2) is the top returning pitcher.