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

Video: Diving catch straight into a wall
See an Oregon player grab one of the top catches during the 2016 season.


1. Cherokee Trail (Aurora)
Head coach: Allan Dyer
2016 record: 22-5

The defending Class 5A state champions begin the season as the favorite in Colorado, thanks to the return of some of the state's top players. Conner Nantkes, an All-State pick last year, is a possible MLB Draft pick while Nick Perez might be the best left-handed pitcher in the state, according to coach Allan Dyer. In all, Cherokee Trail returns six starters from last year's team.

See last season's Colorado baseball computer rankings

2. Rocky Mountain (Fort Collins)
Head coach: Scott Bullock
2016 record: 19-8 The Lobos reached the championship game of the Class 5A playoffs and handed Cherokee Trail a 2-0 loss in the first game of the championship series before falling 9-4 in the rubber game. Five starters return from that team, led by Jadon Uhrich, who batted .438 with five home runs, and John Sorenson, who batted .400 with three home runs.

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3. Valor Christian (Highlands Ranch)
Head coach: Brian Bonn
2016 record: 23-4

A very young team in 2016, Valor Christian managed to win 23 games with five starting underclassmen. Most of them return, led by junior third baseman Luke Ziegler, who batted .409 with 28 RBIs. Valor Christian also has a new coach this year in Brian Bonn, who replaces longtime coach Keith Wahl.

See last season's MaxPreps Colorado baseball playoff brackets

4. Cherry Creek (Greenwood Village)
Head coach: Marc Johnson
2016 record: 17-8

Regularly one of the top programs in the state, Cherry Creek returns its top two hitters from 2016 in MaxPreps Sophomore All-American Tanner O'Tremba and senior Cody Schultz. O'Tremba batted .493 with 34 RBIs, nine doubles and six home runs. Schultz, meanwhile, batted .466 with a team-high 29 runs scored. Cherry Creek won its first four playoff games last year before falling to Cherokee Trail and Rocky Mountain.

See last season's MaxPreps Colorado baseball stat leaders

5. Mullen (Denver)
Head coach: Vince Porreco
2016 record: 18-7

Mullen went 4-2 in the Class 5A state playoffs, ultimately eliminated by Cherokee Trail. Five of the team's top offensive players return, led by senior shortstop Joey Salvato, who batted .361 last year. Rocco Porreco, the team's top home run hitter last year with three, is also back at third base and pitcher, where he went 5-1 with a 2.33 ERA.