MaxPreps 2015 Michigan Baseball Fab 5 presented by the Army National Guard
1. Brother Rice (Bloomfield Hills)2014 finish: 33-3-1
Head coach: Bob Riker
Brother Rice was the top-ranked team in the state, but fell to West Bloomfield in the regional playoffs and did not play in the state tournament. Nevertheless, the Warriors begin the season ranked No. 1 thanks to the return of the state's top senior in outfielder and MaxPreps Preseason All-American
Nick Plummer, and the state's top junior in pitcher
Karl Kauffmann.
View last season's Michigan baseball rankings, presented by the Army National Guard2. Bay City Western (Auburn)2014 finish: 38-7
Head coach: Tim McDonald
The Warriors won the state championship for the second-straight season and have averaged 37 wins during those two seasons.
Carson Eby, a catcher who batted .395 with 41 RBIs and 28 doubles, returns along with
Jason Clark, a pitcher who posted a 10-2 record with a 1.30 ERA.
View last season's Michigan baseball playoff brackets3. Sterling Heights Stevenson2014 finish: 37-3-1
Head coach: Joseph Emanuele
Three of the top offensive players from last year's squad return, including
Brandon Williams,
Riley McCauley and
Greg McDade. Williams, a first baseman, batted .360 while McDade, an outfielder, hit .320 and McCauley, a shortstop, batted .360. Williams is also the top returning pitcher with a 5-0 record last year.
View last season's Michigan baseball stat leaders4. Richmond2014 finish: 35-4
Head coach: Anthony Bloink
Richmond posted a 30-game win streak last year before falling to Mt. Pleasant in the Division 2 championship game.
Dillon McInerney, who posted a 12-1 record last year, returns to the lineup along with
Jake Schmidt and
Kevin Maas, who combined to post an 11-0 record. Catcher
Evan Kratt and infielder
Daniel Fistler also return.
View the MaxPreps Michigan baseball pro photo galleries5. Notre Dame Prep (Pontiac)2014 finish: 26-12
Head coach: Darren Audia
Notre Dame Prep lost in the first round of the Division 2 state tournament, but a number of impressive underclassmen return from that team, including right-handed pitcher
Luke Shilling, the No. 2-ranked player in the state by Perfect Game.
Will Mullen, a right-handed pitcher, also returns to the pitching staff.