MaxPreps 2015 Arkansas preseason baseball Fab 5, presented by the Army National Guard

1. Fayetteville
2014 finish: 30-4
Head coach: Vance Arnold

After a strong season, the Bulldogs fell to Bryant 10-0 in the Class 7A state championship game last year. However, Fayetteville returns nine players who started at least 10 games last year, including Northwest Arkansas Player of the Year Andy Pagnozzi, who has already signed with Ole Miss. Pagnozzi will pitch and play third base. Fayetteville also returns its top hitter from last year in University of Central Arkansas signee Cody Davenport. The Bulldogs also have a veteran at shortstop in Drew Tyler. He has already started three seasons and is considered by Fayetteville coaches as the school's best defensive player in the past 10 years.

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2. Bryant
2014 finish: 32-2
Head coach: Kirk Bock

Bryant won its second state championship in two seasons, defeating Fayetteville in the Class 7A title game last year. Bryant will miss State Player of the Year and MaxPreps All-American Trevor Ezell, but it returns a talented pitcher in Blaine Knight, who went 11-0 last year with a 0.43 ERA and earned first team all-state honors. Bryant will miss the arm of Zach Jackson, a sophomore all-state honoree who has undergone Tommy John surgery and will miss the season.

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3. Conway
2014 finish: 17-9
Head coach: Noel Boucher

The Wampus Cats reached the Class 7A semifinals, falling to eventual champion Bryant. A strong group of returning pitchers gives Conway a chance to contend for the 7A title again this year. Matt Strickland returns after going 6-0 with a 1.03 ERA as a sophomore. He's joined by Bubba Carter, who was 4-0 with a 2.50 ERA as a junior. The offense also has several of its top performers returning, including Jacob Adams (.391), Collin Condit (.279) and sophomore Cade Tucker (.290).

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4. Arkadelphia
2014 finish: 27-5
Head coach: Brant Matros

The Badgers didn't have a close game in winning the Class 4A state championship, beating Dover 12-2, Hamburg 10-3 and Ashdown 15-1. Arkadelphia has won back-to-back state championships and also defeated 6A state champion Russellville, 5A state champion White Hall and 3A state champion Genoa Central during the regular season. Although Arkadelphia lost nine seniors, it returns its top pitcher in junior Brayden Bebee along with all-state performer Ty Kosters.

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5. Genoa Central (Texarkana)
2014 finish: 30-2
Head coach: Jonathan Gosdin

Winners of the Class AAA state championship, Genoa Central finished the season with 19 straight wins. Four of the team's top six offensive players return from last year, including shortstop Garrett Huff (.472 batting average), infielder Ausitn Cutchall (.287), pitcher Justin Swecker (.326, 4-0 pitching record) and outfielder Cale Ridling (.452).