POWERADE FAB 50 Rankings: Preseason
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All teams in the FAB 50 preseason rankings are listed with win-loss record from 2011.
Compiled by Mark Tennis and Doug Huff
Contributing: Paul Muyskens and Andrew Drennen
Bishop Gorman (Las Vegas), a six-time defending state champion, is our choice for preseason No. 1 in the POWERADE FAB 50 baseball rankings.
Southern California powerhouse Mater Dei (Santa Ana, Calif.) follows at No. 2, while Jesuit (Tampa, Fla.) is No. 3. Mater Dei is one of nine California teams in the FAB 50, the most of any state. Florida is second with seven, while Texas is third with six.
Here's a closer look at how we came up with the top 10.
| 2012 POWERADE FAB 50 Baseball Rankings: Preseason | |||
| RK (LW) | SCHOOL (CITY, STATE) | REC | COMMENT |
| 1 (NR) | Bishop Gorman Las Vegas, NV | 35-4 | There's a solid case that the Gaels have had the nation's best baseball program in the past five years. The school has finished in the FAB 50 in each of the past five years, including top-five finishes in three of the past four seasons. |
| 2 (NR) | Mater Dei Santa Ana, CA | 24-6 | In addition to senior leaders, the Monarchs also have some talented underclassmen. Coach Burt Call says freshman shortstop Brandon Perez is an up-and-coming talent. |
| 3 (NR) | Jesuit Tampa, FL | 27-7 | The Tigers, who were last year's Class 4A state runner-up, bring back one of the nation's top talents in senior right-hander/shortstop Lance McCullers Jr. |
| 4 (NR) | Mary Carroll Corpus Christi, TX | 34-7 | Senior right-handed pitcher/outfielder Courtney Hawkins leads an experienced squad that won the Class 5A state title in 2010 and advanced to last year's state semifinals. |
| 5 (NR) | Spanish Fork Spanish Fork, UT | 29-3 | Senior pitchers Kayden Porter and Hayden Nielsen give the Dons, winners of three straight state titles, one of the nation's top one-two punches. |
| 6 (NR) | Harvard Westlake North Hollywood, CA | 23-8 | Opponents will find it tough to get any offense going against the Wolverines, who feature the nation's top right-hander in senior Lucas Giolito and the nation's top left-hander in senior Max Fried. |
| 7 (NR) | Parkview Lilburn, GA | 29-10 | The Panthers, who are the defending Class AAAAA state champs, bring back eight starters, including Vanderbilt recruit Matt Olson, who hit 17 homers and went 7-2 on the mound last year. |
| 8 (NR) | Archbishop McCarthy Fort Lauderdale, FL | 28-3 | Last year's team won its last 17 games on its way to the Class 4A state title, and only one of those contests was decided by one run. Senior lefty Andre Martinez leads a talented pitching staff. |
| 9 (NR) | Lakewood Lakewood, CA | 29-5 | The Lancers have won more than 1,000 games since the school opened in 1958 and have the best record for any California team since 1960. Junior shortstop J.P. Crawford is one of many talents on this year's squad. |
| 10 (NR) | Calallen Corpus Christi, TX | 39-6 | The Wildcats last won the Class 4A state title in 2008 and have been runner-up the past two seasons. Coach Steve Chapman also directed the team to state titles in 2000 and 2005. Senior pitcher/shortstop Wyatt Mathisen is dominant on the mound and at the dish. |
| 11 (NR) | Don Bosco Ramsey, NJ | 24-1 | If a senior-laden team can come together under new coach Mike Rooney, its fourth coach in four years, the Ironmen could approach the club in 2008 that finished No. 1 in the FAB 50. Top returnees include first baseman Matt Dacey (signed with Michigan), shortstop George Iskenderian (South Carolina), outfielder Michael Mecca (Villanova) and pitcher Tom Burns (9-0, 1.53 ERA). |
| 12 (NR) | Oxford Oxford, AL | 31-7 | The Yellow Jackets are loaded with college prospects and are the Class 6A team to beat in Alabama. Leading the way are returning first-team all-staters and Alabama commits Mathew Goodson, an outfielder who hit 22 homers last season, and pitcher Jackson Stephens. Senior pitcher Tucker Simpson is a Florida recruit. |
| 13 (NR) | Owasso Owasso, OK | 37-2 | National Player of the Year Dylan Bundy is gone, but the Rams have the tradition (14 state final appearances in 15 years) and the depth to remain a national team to watch. Top returning players include pitcher/infielder Cory Taylor (8-0, 75 K's, .457), outfielder Colton Crocker (.375) and junior infielder Andrew Rosa (.364). |
| 14 (NR) | The Woodlands The Woodlands, TX | 30-7 | Coach Ron Eastman has a strong group of pitchers, led by Rice-bound Kevin McCanna. Several other key starters are also back, including shortstop Lance Miles (Kansas State) and catcher Alex Dunlap. |
| 15 (NR) | Providence Senior Charlotte, NC | 25-3 | Two major college recruits return to lead the Panthers' bid for their first state title since 1995. Clemson recruit Jackson Campana, a 6-foot-6 pitcher/third baseman, and Arkansas commit Ty Buttrey, a right-handed pitcher/outfielder, will anchor North Carolina's top-ranked team. |
| 16 (NR) | Pensacola Catholic Pensacola, FL | 28-4 | Only three players were lost to graduation off a team that was No. 33 in last year's final FAB 50 and fell 4-3 in the Class 3A state final to No. 10 Bishop Verot (Fort Myers, Fla.). Leadoff-hitting second baseman Jon Jon Burkett (.411) and catcher Tanner Halstead (.330) are among those back. |
| 17 (NR) | El Capitan Lakeside, CA | 28-6 | Senior Troy Conyers was the San Diego Player of the Year as a junior. The team must replace graduated all-state player Tyrone Wiggins but has top talents like pitcher Kevin Ginkel (nine wins) and catcher Charles Moorman (28 RBIs) to help Conyers bolster this year's squad. |
| 18 (NR) | Cathedral Indianapolis, IN | 28-3 | The Fighting Irish seek to close the deal this season after finishing as Class 4A runner-up in 2011. Seven starters return from the No. 20 FAB 50 team from last year, including pitcher/outfielder Nick McCarty (.376, 11-0), designated hitter Mike Kseniak (.408) and infielder Austin Boos (.333). |
| 19 (NR) | Rockwall-Heath Rockwall, TX | 34-9-2 | Jovan Hernandez was the ESPNHS Sophomore Player of the Year two years ago and returns for his senior season after hitting .514 with 11 homers and 64 RBIs as a junior. This team has another All-American back as well in Jake Thompson (.504, 15 homers, 58 RBIs; 12-3 on the mound, 131 strikeouts). |
| 20 (NR) | Saint Rita Chicago, IL | 30-7 | The Mustangs should be the team to beat in the competitive Chicago metro area with several top players returning, including senior all-league honorees Eddie De La Riva, a right-handed pitcher, and shortstop/catcher Zack Soria. |
| 21 (NR) | Columbus Columbus, GA | 29-10 | The Blue Devils will seek their third straight state title and 12th overall. The team lost only four starters and brings back senior pitcher/outfielder Kyle Carter, who batted .467 with 22 homers last year and also went 9-4 on the bump, and senior shortstop J.T. Phillips. Both players signed with Georgia. |
| 22 (NR) | Christopher Columbus Miami, FL | 16-9 | Coach Joe Weber's team should go much further in the state playoffs this season with a strong pitching staff, led by Florida-bound Michael Vinson and Virginia Tech-bound Luis Collazo. Shortstop Frankie Navarrete is another player to watch. |
| 23 (NR) | George Washington New York, NY | 45-2 | Eighteen roster players return from a Public School Athletic League title squad. The anchors are catcher Nelson Rodriguez, the New York City Player of the Year who batted .500 as a junior, and center fielder Fernelys Sanchez, who hit .423. |
| 24 (NR) | Maize Maize, KS | 25-0 | Five starters are back for the Eagles, who were No. 16 in last year's final rankings. Pitcher Craig Nicks (8-0, 0.88 ERA), who tossed a three-hitter in the state final, is among the returnees, along with infielders J.C. Sturgeon (.411) and Ryan McBroom (.450). |
| 25 (NR) | Mountain Pointe Phoenix, AZ | 29-5 | There isn't a strong favorite to start the season in Arizona. The defending Class 5A, Division I champs are a solid choice, however, despite pitching losses. Senior Joey Curletta (21 homers) is back, and the double-play combo of twin brothers Scott and Sam Kingery is one of the best in the state. |
| 26 (NR) | Palo Alto Palo Alto, CA | 28-9 | The Vikings broke through the stranglehold that teams from the West Catholic Athletic League had on the CIF Central Coast Section Division I title last season. And they have an outstanding group coming back, led by pitcher Ben Sneider (10-3, 1.31 ERA), outfielder B.J. Boyd (.462) and infielder Austin Braff (.413). |
| 27 (NR) | Saint Louis University Saint Louis, MO | 24-1 | The Junior Bills return eight top players from a team that advanced to the Class 4A state final before losing its only game to eventual champion Francis Howell of St. Charles. Key returnees include senior Mitch Klug (.364, 6-0 as pitcher) and juniors Kaleb King (.439) and Brian Howard (10-0). |
| 28 (NR) | Bishop Amat La Puente, CA | 29-4 | Standout senior Rio Ruiz hit .455 with 35 RBIs in leading the Lancers to the CIF Southern Section Division IV title last year. Senior lefty Daniel Zamora (9-1, 1.43 ERA) also returns, but a number of other standout players graduated. |
| 29 (NR) | Park Vista Boynton Beach, FL | 21-9 | A strong nucleus returns from a 2011 squad that reached the Class 6A state semifinals and lost to eventual champion Alonso (Tampa, Fla.). This year's team will go for the Class 8A crown behind a potent pitching punch of Brandon Rhodes and Robbie Coleman. Senior second baseman Brett Lashley is among the position-player returnees. |
| 30 (NR) | Madison Central Madison, MS | 31-3 | The Jaguars, who advanced to the Class 6A state semifinals last season, have a new head coach in Brian Rea to lead an experienced squad. Leading the cast of returnees are pitcher/infielder Zach Irwin (.398, 8-1), infielder Curt Chism (.371) and catcher/infielder Lee Harbour (.339). |
| 31 (NR) | Edmond Santa Fe Edmond, OK | 37-7 | The Wolves, No. 48 in last year's FAB 50, could challenge Owasso for state honors this season after bowing to the Rams in last year's Class 6A semifinals. Leading the charge will be Ty Hensley, one of the nation's top pitching prospects, who was 6-0 with 58 strikeouts in 31 innings as a junior. |
| 32 (NR) | Russell County Seale, AL | 34-10 | Seven starters plus the entire pitching staff return from last year's Class 5A state semifinal team. Leading the way will be right-handed pitcher and Alabama commit Ray Castillo (10-1 as junior), fellow all-state pick Jesse Nelson (10-1) and catcher Chandler Durham. |
| 33 (NR) | Jefferson County Dandridge, TN | 32-5 | The Patriots return six starters from last year's team that bowed to eventual champion Farragut (Knoxville, Tenn.) in the sub-state playoffs. Key returnees include Colton Bales (.474, 49 RBIs), Blake Paschal (.466, 60 RBIs) and Jake Farr (.420, 4-1 pitching). |
| 34 (NR) | James Byrnes Duncan, SC | 22-5 | The Rebels, ranked No. 1 in preseason state polls, return several key players from last season. The anchors are two Clemson-bound all-state outfielders: Steven Duggar (.592, 45 RBIs) and junior Reed Rohlman (.444). The top pitcher is senior Zach Bridgeman (4-2). |
| 35 (NR) | James River Midlothian, VA | 19-5 | This school won back-to-back state titles in 2007 and 2008 and has a great chance to return to the top in Virginia this season. The strength of the team is pitching, led by left-handed aces Kit Scheetz (Virginia Tech) and Nathan Kirby (Virginia) and right-hander Tyler Carrico (Virginia). |
| 36 (NR) | Barbe Lake Charles, LA | 27-10 | The Buccaneers, who have won five Class 5A state titles since 1998, should contend for their first crown since 2008. Leading the way for 26-year coach Glenn Cecchini is his son, Gavin, a senior infielder and all-state honoree who batted .532 with 11 homers and 45 runs batted in last season. |
| 37 (NR) | John W. North Riverside, CA | 27-7 | Oregon State-bound first baseman Gabe Clark heads up a solid cast of experienced players for the Huskies, who are the defending CIF Southern Section Division I champions. Others looking for the repeat include shortstop Gabriel Franca, outfielder Justin Gheorghe (the starting quarterback for the football team) and pitcher Jack Johnson. |
| 38 (NR) | Memorial Houston, TX | 22-8 | The Mustangs are showing up high in preseason rankings within Texas because of a combination of strong returnees in hitting and pitching. TCU commit Boomer White and Rice recruit Beau Rathjen (both outfielders) are the squad's top players. |
| 39 (NR) | West Boca Raton Boca Raton, FL | 27-4 | Senior standout Parker Danciu pitched a shutout against Lakeland in last year's Class 5A state final and leads a solid group of returnees. The Bulls were No. 13 in last year's final FAB 50. |
| 40 (NR) | American Heritage Plantation, FL | 20-10 | New coach Bruce Aven inherits a talent-laden roster that should push the Patriots back toward the top of the state and national rankings. Leading a group of four Division I college-bound pitchers is left-hander Brandon Diaz, who also hit for a .456 average last season, while topping the list of position players is shortstop Brandon Lopez (signed with Miami) and junior catcher Zach Collins, MVP for the USA Baseball 16U National Team in last summer's world championships. |
| 41 (NR) | Jesuit Carmichael, CA | 25-9 | Senior shortstop Zach Green tops a group of five position players returning for veteran coach Joe Potulny. The Marauders also have most of their pitching back, led by Stanford-bound Logan James. |
| 42 (NR) | Collins Spring, TX | 22-10 | This team got a boost when star senior shortstop C.J. Hinojosa didn't leave early for the University of Texas. He joins three other teammates who have committed to the Longhorns: junior pitcher Cory Geisler, senior infielder Austin Dean and USA Baseball 16U National Team member Jake Jarvis. |
| 43 (NR) | Lakota East Liberty Township, OH | 24-7 | The defending Division I state champion Thunderhawks return three all-league honorees in a bid for a second straight state title. Pitcher Michael Conrad, the league MVP, is back along with outfielder Alex Corna and junior catcher Jarrett Rindfleisch. |
| 44 (NR) | Parkway South Ballwin, MO | 22-5 | The Patriots could challenge St. Louis University for supremacy in Missouri with several key players back from last season. Leading the way will be infielder Danny Holst, who moved from center field as a sophomore to shortstop last spring and was named conference player of the year. He batted .488 and had 20 stolen bases. |
| 45 (NR) | Clovis West Fresno, CA | 19-11 | The Golden Eagles are the preseason choice by many coaches in the CIF Central Section, which is where last year's FAB 50 No. 1 team, Buchanan (Clovis, Calif.), was the Division I champion. Seven starters are back, led by Vanderbilt-bound pitcher Tyler Ferguson and UC Santa Barbara-bound shortstop Ryan Clark. |
| 46 (NR) | Farragut Knoxville, TN | 37-8 | An injury that will sideline top underclassman pitcher Xander Taylor for the season prevents the Admirals from being ranked even higher. Still, they have a shot at winning their fifth straight Class AAA state title. Farragut's best includes Tennessee recruit A.J. Simcox, a shortstop who batted .521, junior second baseman Nick Senzel and sophomore first baseman/pitcher Chase Chambers. |
| 47 (NR) | Gloucester Catholic Gloucester City, NJ | 31-2 | The defending Non-Public B champions, ranked No. 8 in the FAB 50 last year, were hit hard by graduation, but several productive underclassmen are back. The leaders should be all-state first baseman John Brue (.557, 56 RBIs), designated hitter Joe Brooks (.444, 43 RBIs) and junior pitcher Mike Shawaryn (7-0). |
| 48 (NR) | Poly Prep Ctry. Day School Brooklyn, NY | 23-1 | The Blue Devils, No. 50 in last year's FAB 50 after winning the Independent School state crown, return some key players, including two touted juniors. They are pitcher Andrew Zapata (6-0), who was the New York City Player of the Year choice by the media, and infielder Philip Maldari (.426). |
| 49 (NR) | Westview Portland, OR | 26-5 | Class 6A Player of the Year Carson Kelly returns for the defending state champions, which makes them the team to beat in Oregon. Kelly, a member of the USA Baseball 18U National Team, had 51 RBIs as a junior and went 9-1 on the mound. |
| 50 (NR) | Rockford Rockford, MI | 32-6 | The defending Division 1 state champion Rams will seek their second crown with some key pieces to the title puzzle returning. Outfielder Drew Farmer, headed to Western Michigan, and catcher Tony Dileo, going to Eastern Michigan, are among the returnees. Both received all-state honors. |