MaxPreps 2017 Virginia preseason high school baseball Fab 5, presented by the Army National Guard

Video: Pitcher catches line drive barehanded
Watch Chantilly High's Jared Dicesare snag a line drive in exceptional form.


1. Grassfield (Chesapeake)
Head coach: Shaun Todd
2016 record: 19-3

Although Grassfield did not reach the state tournament last year, it was one of the top teams in the state for most of the season and registered just three losses on the year. Grassfield has the state's top pitcher, according to Perfect Game, in righthander Hunter Perdue, who has committed to Virginia.

See last season's Virginia baseball computer rankings

2. Chantilly
Head coach: Kevin Ford
2016 record: 25-2

The defending Class 6A state champions lost two games all of last year. Although not the favorite in Class 6A to start the season, Chantilly returns one of the top pitchers in the Washington D.C. area in Hayden Dux.

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3. Liberty Christian (Lynchburg)
Head coach: Randy Tomlin
2016 record: 20-4 The Bulldogs moved from the VISAA to the VHSL last year and reached the Class 4A state championship game before falling to Hanover. Liberty Christian has one of the top juniors in the state in catcher Wesley Clarke, who batted .427 with 25 RBIs and a team-high four home runs.
 
See last season's MaxPreps Virginia baseball playoff brackets

4. Greenbrier Christian Academy (Chesapeake)
Head coach: Patrick Nichols
2016 record: 30-2

Partially led by former MLB pitcher Gary Lavelle, the Gators won their final 23 game of the season to win the VISAA Division 2 championship. One of the team's top hitters returns in Erik Stock, who batted .366 with 35 RBIs and two home runs last year. Jason Hartline leads the pitching staff after going 6-0 as a junior.

See last season's MaxPreps Virginia baseball stat leaders

5. Miller (Charlottesville)
Head coach: William Wagner
2016 record: 14-8

Miller fell to Greenbrier Christian Academy in the semifinals of the VISAA Division 2 playoffs, but returns two of the top players in the state. According to Perfect Game, catcher Adam Hackenberg is the No. 1 junior in the state while shortstop Tanner Morris is the top senior in the state.