StudentSportsBaseball.com - Inside the FAB 50 National Rankings

February 24, 2008

Mark Tennis
StudentSportsBaseball.com Senior Editor

At the conclusion of the 2007 high school baseball season, there were four different schools that appeared to have strong arguments to be No. 1 in the nation. Of those four, the one program with the most returning players clearly is longtime powerhouse Sarasota High of Sarasota, Fla., so it only makes sense that the Sailors are starting out 2008 as the No. 1 team in the Rivals.com FAB 50.

The defending state Class 6A champion Sailors will be going for their ninth state title under the tutelage of legendary head coach Clyde Metcalf. Six of those state championships have come under Metcalf, who enters 2008 with a 664-161 record in 25 seasons.

Leading a group of six returning starters and 14 returning letterwinners is senior righthanded pitcher-shortstop Casey Kelly, who tossed a two-hit shutout in last season's Class 6A state title game. Kelly was 11-0 on the mound with an 0.24 earned run average. As a hitter, he batted .344 with four home runs. Third baseman Mason Johnson (.348, 4 HR), pitcher-outfielder Joey Rapp (.358, 7 HR) and lefthanded pitcher Josh Renfro (3-0, 0.81 ERA) also are back. The squad's top junior is infielder Scooter Gennett (.363, 4 HR).

Two of those other four teams from last year – FAB 50 national champion Horizon of Scottsdale, Arizona, and Seton Hall Prep of West Orange, New Jersey – were comprised mostly of seniors and will face rebuilding this season.

The other team in that mix was Wilson of Long Beach, Calif., and although the Bruins lose some standout players – such as CIF Southern Section Div. I Player of the Year Elliot Glynn and first-round MLB draft pick Ryan Dent – they still have a strong enough nucleus returning to be preseason No. 1 in talent-rich California and No. 2 in the FAB 50 behind Sarasota.

Read below for the 2008 Rivals.com preseason FAB 50 national rankings for baseball:

(Listed with last year's record)
(Last season's final FAB 50 ranking in parentheses)

1. Sarasota (Sarasota, Fla.) 29-3 (2)
The Sailors began their season on Valentine's Day with a 7-1 win against Riverview of Hillsborough. Josh Renfro and Casey Kelly combined on a three-hitter while Joey Rapp led the offense with a three-run triple. Sarasota also has won in two other outings prior to the release of these rankings.

2. Wilson (Long Beach, Calif.) 32-3 (4)
Coach Andy Hall has one of those situations in which there are some graduation-caused holes to fill, but the returning talent still seems hard to beat for the rest of the CIF Southern Section Division I list of contenders. One of the best leadoff hitters many in the region have ever seen, Aaron Hicks, who hit .370 and also can pitch, is among the returnees. Also returning is lefthanded pitcher Ray Hanson, who was 9-0 with a 2.16 earned run average. Six players in all so far from the team have signed Division I college letters of intent.

3. Owasso (Owasso, Okla.) 35-3 (8)
The Rams appear poised to win a seventh state Class 6A title in the last 12 years with six starters returning. Head coach Larry Turner also is going for an amazing 11th state championship game appearance in 12 years. First-round MLB draft pick Pete Kozma may be gone, but the rest of the lineup coming back, especially on the mound, looks imposing. Lefthanded pitcher Brian Flynn (10-1, 1.53 ERA) is a Wichita State recruit while two others pitchers to watch are lefties Austin Kirk (4-0) and Brandon Bargas (4-0). Ben Kozma, younger brother of Pete, scored 48 runs and batted .423.

4. Cypress Fairbanks (Houston, Texas) 32-7 (12)
Some in Texas think the Bobcats were a surprise when they won the Region III-5A title and then the state championship. They were able to accomplish that primarily behind the arm of Tommy Collier and the play of outfielder Robbie Grossman. In total, they return seven starters and have a good shot at repeating. Grossman is one of the best high school players in the nation, ranked No. 1 among outfielders by StudentSportsBaseball.com. He played in the 2007 Area Code Games and showed that he is a great player. If he does not sign out of high school, he will be off to Texas next spring.

5. Chaparral (Scottsdale, Ariz.) 26-9 (nr)
Led by head coach Jerry Dawson entering his 34th season, the Firebirds look to capture their eighth state championship this year after having their four-year streak come to an end last year in the semifinals. Returning to lead the rotation will be Danny Coulombe, who last year went 10-2 with a 1.08 ERA and 120 strikeouts to earn an all-state selection and has committed to USC. Other key returnees include pitcher Matt Summers, who has committed to UC Irvine, P/1B Chase Brewer (UCLA) and OF Royce Bolinger (Gonzaga).

6. Don Bosco Prep (Ramsey, N.J.) 27-2 (nr)
It's everybody back from a squad that made it to the state Non-Public Class A semifinals last season. Six of those returnees are seniors who are early college recruits: P Mike Dennhardt (9-0, 0.70 ERA) with Boston College; 3B Steven Proscia (.510, 10 HR) with Virginia; P Eric Pfisterer (6-0, 2.10 ERA) with Duke; OF Michael Vargas (.540) with Florida International; P San Cerbo with Delaware; and catcher Ben Luderer (.500) with Marist. The Ironmen are preseason No. 1 in one other national ranking. If they turn out to be as good as Seton Hall Prep last year, that could happen in the FAB 50, too, but for now we'll have No. 1 teams in Florida, California, Oklahoma, Arizona and Texas higher.

7. Calvert Hall (Baltimore, Md.) 33-0 (11)
Baltimore Sun Player of the Year Kevin Lingerman headlines a group of eight senior starters who are back and who look like they can make a run at a mythical national title. Going unbeaten a second straight year would sure help and joining Lingerman in that quest (he's a pitcher-third baseman) are pitcher Mike Dillon and junior shortstop Patrick Blair. The Cardinals were not the only unbeaten team at the school last year, either, as the JV and freshman squads also were perfect to give the school an amazing 75-0 combined record.

8. Walton (Walton, Ga.) 31-7 (38)
Several juniors played starring roles last year as the Raiders marched to the state Class AAAAA title. Topping a group of eight seniors with starting experience is pitcher-infielder Mark Pope, a Georgia Tech recruit who went 11-3 on the mound and batted .396.Three veteran outfielders are leadoff hitter Billy Burns (.409, 54 runs), Ryan Mitzel (.341, 44 RBI) and Cory Reed (.306).

9. Moody (Corpus Christi, Texas) 39-3 (6)
Last year, the Trojans won the Class 4A title when they beat Mesquite Poteet, 9-1, in the final. No other Lone Star State team was higher in the final FAB 50 rankings and a significant number of players are back. Junior pitcher Miguel Gonzalez, the game MVP, hurled a four-hitter in a five-inning stint. The Trojans look to repeat this year and there are those in Texas who think that they may be the best team, regardless of class.

10. Catalina Foothills (Tucson, Ariz.) 25-5 (nr)
Nine starters are back from a team that was among the best in Arizona all of last season. Topping the list of returnees is infielder Ashton Kent, who hit .425, stole 11 bases and is headed for USC. Pitcher Kayvon Bahramzadeh, who has signed with Kansas State, also is back.

11. Plant (Tampa, Fla.) 21-5 (nr)
The Panthers, who were the No. 1 preseason team in the loaded Tampa area and won their first couple of games already this season, will look to bounce back from not getting out of the district playoffs last year as almost all of their starting lineup returns, led by Preston Tucker and Mychal Givens. Tucker, a senior first baseman, is a feared power hitter with a school record 51 RBI last year plus nine homers and a .561 average. Givens, still just a junior, was a member of the 2007 USA Junior National Team last summer as a shortstop.

12. Vista Murrieta (Murrieta, Calif. 27-4 (41)
Coach Dave Legg's program made itself known throughout California last year by winning the CIF Southern Section Div. II championship and this year the Nighthawks could be shooting for a more national audience. They certainly have the returning talent and are playing a strong enough schedule (including an appearance at the Anderson Bat National Classic) to warrant a high preseason ranking. Headlining a stellar squad of returning players are SS Derek Legg, son of the head coach and headed to Long Beach State, plus P Brian Valenzuela (10-1, 1.23) and two other pitchers, Taylor Garrison and Josh Weise, who can be equally dominant.

13. Paul IV Catholic (Fairfax, Va.) 27-4 (nr)
Several other national rankings we've seen have listed St. John's College Prep in the top 10 with no mention of this team, which beat St. John's last year to win the Washington Catholic Athletic Conference title and actually has just as much – if not more – returning talent. Just two starters are gone, with plenty of returning pitching, speed and offensive production. University of Georgia recruit Peter Verdin (P/OF), East Carolina-bound Brett Bower (3B/SS) and Maryland-bound Matt Murakami (SS/2B) are among the returnees.

14. American Heritage (Plantation, Fla.) 23-5 (nr)
Small schools in Florida with loads of college prospects are nothing new and the latest edition is at American Heritage. We don't think the schedule is strong enough for a legitimate run at a national title, but others in the media do and there's no question the Patriots are an intriguing squad. According to Baseball America, seven seniors on the squad have signed Div. I scholarship offers. Power-hitting 1B Eric Hosmer and C Adrian Nieto are the highest-rated prospects of the bunch.

15. St. John's College Prep (Washington, D.C.) 23-6 (nr)
Preseason All-American L.J. Hoes, a North Carolina recruit who has batted .479 in his three-year career, and lefty pitcher Scott Silverstein (5-2, 1.81 ERA), a University of Virginia signer, are among a group of seven returning starters back for this team that will battle Paul Catholic IV of Fairfax, Va., for what should be a great race in the Washington Catholic Athletic Conference. Other top seniors are pitchers Hugh Adams, Michael Loeb and Craig Miller, infielders Cory Beahm, Jeff Flax and Matt Mack, and lefty pitcher Nick Routt, a Mississippi State recruit.

16. Bartlett (Bartlett, Tenn.) 40-5 (23)
Veteran coach Phil Clark nabbed his fifth state title last year at his third different school and will have eight of nine starters back. Two of the state's top hitters are in that group, including shortstop Jacob Wilson (.437, 13 HR), who led the state with 71 runs batted in, and first baseman-pitcher Heith Hatfield (.367, 59 RBI), who set a Memphis area record with 14 home runs.

17. Bishop Gorman (Las Vegas, Nev.) 34-6-1 (19)
This school is becoming an all-sports powerhouse in Southern Nevada and is favored to add a third straight Class 4A state title in baseball to its resume this spring. The Gaels, who won the state title last fall in football and are ranked currently No. 1 and No. 2 in the state in girls and boys hoops, respectively, have three all-state honorees back in baseball plus a majority of last year's roster. Senior DH-OF-1B Brandon Garcia, a USC recruit, along with junior 1B-P Jeff Malm and junior OF Joey Rickard are the Gaels' top honors candidates. We haven't heard that much anti-private school rumblings yet in Vegas, but if Bishop Gorman continues on this trend you can bet that it will gain in intensity.

18. Punahou (Honolulu, Hawaii) 29-3 (15)
It's good times for the Buffnblu as former athlete Barack Obama is making a serious bid to become President of the United States while this year's baseball team figures to be among the best in the U.S. as well. Punahou has won five straight state titles and just about everyone returns, including a pitching staff led by aces Skeeter Ishida and Matt Suiter. Three others on the team also are being looked at by Division I colleges and pro scouts. Another reason we'd start out the Buffnblu this high is that they've toughened up their schedule with visits planned to play teams in Arizona and California.

19. Barbe (Lake Charles, La.) 32-5 (34)
This perennial power was in the mix for a top 10 final ranking last year until being upset in the Class 5A state quarterfinals. It was a young team, too, so this year a similar run should be made. Eight starters are back, led by P-3B Ryan Doiron, a Tulane recruit who had 80 strikeouts on the mound and hit nine homers with 47 RBI. P Trey Brown (78 Ks) and INF Josh LeBert (.422) also are among the returnees.

20. Serra (San Mateo, Calif.) 24-6 (nr)
With the return of Ryan Allgrove and most of the starters from last year, the Padres look to be a force not just in the rugged West Catholic Athletic League but in the state and national rankings as well. Allgrove was the San Mateo County Player of the Year after hitting .407 and stealing 11 bases from the shortstop position while going 4-1 on the mound with a 1.21 ERA. Hard-hitting OF Ryan Palermo also was an all-state underclass pick while all-county 3B Tony Renda returns with a .438 batting average.

21. Tupelo (Tupelo, Miss.) 34-5 (nr)
No. 1 ranked preseason Mississippi team is led by all-state utility pick Kyle Thornton (12-2, 1.41 ERA, 6 HR, 34 RBI). A Mississippi team, South Lauderdale, was in the top 10 last year so if Tupelo can win a state title with just one or two losses it can perhaps get that high as well.

22. Brookwood (Snellville, Ga.) 27-9 (nr)
The Broncos were a Class 5A state semifinalist a year ago and will be strengthened with eight returning starters. Topping the charts is Univ. of Georgia recruit Chase Hawkins, who batted .306 and probably will be the No. 1 pitcher. Catcher Seth Adkins (.385), outfielder Ryan Lewis (.367), third baseman Grayson Slack (.359) second baseman Ross Heffley (.350) are seniors to watch while the top junior is designated hitter Ronnie Freeman, who hit for a .463 average as a sophomore.

23. Cullman (Cullman, Ala.) 48-7 (20)
This is one of those teams that looks real strong from a returning pitching standpoint. In the Bearcats' case, it's Class 5A State Player of the Year Drew Bryson, who went 16-1 on the mound with a 2.70 ERA, plus South Alabama recruit Matt Drake (11-2, 1.34), who lead the pitching corps. Also back for Alabama's Class 5A champs, who set a state single-season record for wins in 2007, is honors candidate Austin Golden, who is moving from first base to shortstop.

24. Richland (Richland, Wash.) 24-2 (30)
Head coach Ben Jacobs and his team are used to winning with two Class 4A state titles in the last three years. The junior class even played in the Little League World Series in 2003. Jacobs welcomes back six starters among 11 lettermen, led by his son, Brett, a junior who batted .480 with eight homers and 43 RBI as a soph. OF Jamison Rowe (.356) and P-1B Cody Shepherd are two of those other outstanding juniors.

25. Seneca Valley (Harmony, Pa.) 22-2 (nr)
Preseason All-America P-1B Cory Mazzoni (11-0, 1.02 ERA, .391) leads a group of seven starters back at Seneca Valley, which won last year's Class AAAA state title. Another returnee is third baseman Tyler Bream, son of former major leaguer Sid Bream.

26. Christian Brothers (Memphis, Tenn.) 40-8 (nr)
The Purple Wave should ride an outstanding group of seven returning position players plus solid pitching toward a possible 10th state title. They won No. 9 a year ago behind such underclassmen as pitcher Stephen Thompson (9-1) and outfielder Drew Martinez (.427, 33 steals).

27. Katy (Katy, Texas) 32-5 (33)
The Tigers were second in the Class 5A state playoffs last year and will be led by a talented junior class, including all-state catcher Andrew Stumph, who had 51 RBI last year as a soph after driving in 47 as a freshman. Junior OF Jarrett Fancher (.358), P Keifer Nuncio (7-1, 1.68 ERA) and senior OF Joey Fuda (.333) also are returning.

28. Greenbrier (Evans, Ga.) 32-4 (17)
This team won its second straight state Class AAAA title and should be right near the top in Georgia once again. Only one pitcher graduated and six regular position players are back. Leading the way is South Carolina recruit Nolan Belcher, a lefthanded pitcher-outfielder with 35-1 career record (9-1 last year with 0.88 ERA).

29. Moeller (Cincinnati, Ohio) 27-4 (nr)
Despite the loss of 13 seniors from last year's championship team, the Fighting Crusaders will have plenty of experience with 14 seniors coming back. New head coach Tim Held, who is taking over after the legendary Mike Cameron retired with 39 seasons and 767 victories on his ledger, will count on his pitchers, led by 6-3 lefty Greg Williams (8-0, 0.15 ERA) and three-year starter Ross Oltorik.

30. James River (Midlothian, Va.) 26-2 (28)
Only three starters are back for head coach Pete Schumacher, but two of them are All-American candidates. OF-P Austin Stadler is a preseason Louisville Slugger All-American while P Daniel Marrs was an AFLAC All-American last summer. If either Stadler or Marrs is pitching, James River will be tough and that will be most games.

31. Lake Orion (Lake Orion, Mich.) 31-5 (32)
Entering his 10th season, head coach Andy Schramek is building a strong program for the Muskateers. Last year's Class A title should be followed by another title-contending unit. Power-hitting first baseman Jeff Chattaway, who is headed to Xavier, and senior pitcher Connor Deeg, who has won 14 games in his career, are among a high number of returnees.

32. Centennial (Bakersfield, Calif.) 29-6 (nr)
Only three players from last year's entire roster are gone, so look for the defending CIF Central Section Division I champs to be one of the top teams in California this season. Pitching should be a strongpoint with Cal State Fullerton-bound Garrett Martin (who also plays first base) leading the way. Danny Armstrong also returns after going 8-1. Returning Bakersfield Californian Player of the Year Dustin Robinson, one of the top outfielders in the state, is one of several leading hitters back from an offense that plated 314 runs.

33. Rocky Mountain (Fort Collins, Colo.) 20-5 (nr)
State Player of the Year Andy Burns tops a group of five returning starters from a team that won the Class 5A state title. Head coach Scott Bullock also is counting on an upcoming 17-2 JV team for depth. Another all-state returnee is pitcher-hitter Jake Stewart.

34. Brother Rice (Chicago, Ill.) 30-12 (nr)
A virtual all-underclass lineup from last year placed third in the Class AA state tournament and makes Brother Rice the team to beat in Illinois. Iowa recruit Mike McQuillan, a four-year starter at second base, hit .424 last year and slapped 24 extra base hits. OF Doug Schumacher (11 HRs), 1B Tom Hickey (.320) and P-OF Tom Hickey also are three-year starters. Infielder Cameron Anello also returns after hitting .400.

35. Holt (Wentzville, Mo.) 21-11 (nr)
If you like pitching, and most coaches and preseason prognosticators do, then Holt is your team from Missouri to start things off. North Carolina signer Tim Melville is a certified phenom who went 10-1 with a 0.89 ERA as a junior. Some think he's the nation's top pitcher and he could be a high MLB draft pick. But he's not the only top arm on the team as lefty Jimmy Foster can spin it, too. He's a D1 recruit going locally to Saint Louis University.

36. Chatsworth (Chatsworth, Calif.) 29-4 (10)
Most programs that lose two players who were picked in the first round of the MLB draft tend to drop off the rankings radar, but in California head coach Tom Muesborn has built such a powerhouse at Chatsworth that you can't do that until the Chancellors show some weakness and drop a few games. The two first-rounders were Mike Moustakas and Matt Dominguez, who were in the middle of the lineup for four years. Muesborn's team this year will rebuild around pitcher James Wharton, who went 10-1 as a junior and junior shortstop Kasey Toven, a slick fielder and speedy baserunner.

37. Cottonwood (Salt Lake City, Utah) 23-3 (40)
Tanner Robles was one of the most dynamic players in the nation last year, but the departure of the high draft pick doesn't diminish Cottonwood's status as a dominant team from Utah at all. In fact, everyone from last year except Robles and one other player, is back. Kyle Beverly (headed to Oregon State) is an all-state returnee while P/1B Kendall Mayer (8-0) and OF Austin Wadsworth (.420) also are back. Cottonwood is another highly-ranked team coming to Southern California in March to play at the Anderson Bat National Classic.

38. George Washington (New York, N.Y.) 39-4 (nr)
Annual New York powerhouse should be loaded again with two of the nation's most intriguing prospects. Catcher Jean Carlos Rodriguez is one of them along with slugging outfielder Fernando Frias. Coach Steve Mandi's team is the defending New York City titlists.

39. Jesuit (New Orleans, La.) 33-6 (21)
Several top juniors were on the squad last year when Jesuit captured the Class 5A state championship, led by shortstop Manny Estrada. The team was just picked No. 1 to start the season in Class 5A as well, even ahead of Barbe, a team we're starting out higher in the FAB 50. If Jesuit gets out to a stronger start than Barbe, we'll certainly switch those two immediately.

40. Valley Christian (San Jose, Calif.) 33-4 (16)
The Warriors were third in California last year and will be one of the top teams in Northern California once again. Two of the returnees are all-state candidates Jonathon Hughes and Michael Realing. Hughes went 10-2 on the mound with a 0.80 ERA and batted .422. Realing, a three-year starter and outstanding leadoff hitter, hit .400 and is a San Jose State recruit. Seven of 10 regulars in all are back.

41. Langham Creek (Houston, Texas) 34-4 (25)
The Lobos were No. 1 in the nation for a time last year but didn't get it done with a loss in the Class 5A playoffs. A group of five key veteran players includes two who are major recruits -- shortstop-pitcher Cody Morehouse (.367, 9 HR) with Houston and 6-foot-6 pitcher-first baseman Andrew Benak with Rice.

42. Carl Albert (Midwest City, Okla.) 36-4 (29)
Coach Wayne Dozier's team is following up on a Class 5A state title season with another solid cast of returnees. The pitching needs some retooling, but those coming back did combine to win 23 games last season. Five position starters also are back, led by jr. SS T.J. Realmuto (.438, 43 RBI); 3B Robert Kizer (.409, 56 RBI) and P/OF/2B Dillon Andrews (.394, 18 steals).

43. Hamilton (Chandler, Ariz.) 20-12 (nr)
According to ArizonaVarsity.com, Hamilton is a strong No. 2 in the state's Class 5A rankings. Kyle Peterson, an Arizona State commit, attended the Area Code Games as a pitcher. Other star Huskies are juniors Matt Helm and Cory Bernard, and senior Sammy Vandenheuvel.

44. Jupiter (Jupiter, Fla.) 21-6 (nr)
We'll find out if the Warriors really are this good in an upcoming two-game set next week with Palm Beach Central (27-4 last year). They do have starters back at every position, including five who pitch, led by AFLAC All-American P/1B Jack Armstrong (Vanderbilt) and OF Tyler Thompson (Florida).

45. Horizon (Scottsdale, Ariz.) 33-3 (1)
Last year's FAB 50 mythical national champion has to get at least a mention in this year's preseason rankings. Much is gone, but five starters also are back, led by C Steve Defrietas (.379, 28 RBI), P Connor Hulse (6-1, 1.47 ERA) and OF Thomas Valenza (.395, 24 RBI).

46. Captain Shreve (Shreveport, La.) 37-4 (nr)
Five starters are back from a team that lost in the Class 4A state final last year. Heading the group is all-state first baseman-pitcher Cody Moellenkamp, who hit .416 and drove in 57 runs as a junior. Infielder Austin Hedges is another major returnee as he scored 55 runs and set a school record with 30 steals.

47. Texarkana (Texarkana, Ark.) 22-6 (nr)
Yes, this team known as the Razorbacks are led by a player named Bigham, in their case Bo Bigham, a senior shortstop who hit .500 and loves being a ham so much in Razorback country that he's of course signed with the University of Arkansas. The Class 6A state champs from last year also return a number of other top players.

48. Grossmont (La Mesa, Calif.) 27-7 (nr)
It's almost impossible to do a preseason top 50 for the nation and not include a top team from the terrific talent-producing area of San Diego County. This year, Grossmont gets the first crack at the region's No. 1 ranking with six starters back from a team that won its third straight San Diego Section Div. II titles. All-state underclass Bryan Haar, University of Pacific signer Josh Simms and junior pitcher Levi Stevens are the Foothillers' top returnees.

49. Mentor (Mentor, Ohio) 28-4 (43)
Coach Len Taylor has one of the top programs in the Midwest and while this year's team seems to lack some offense, the pitching looks very formidable with a one-two punch of Ryan Lavery (9-0, 0.86 ERA) and Kevin Schindler (4-1). Kenny Pascoe is another returning all-leaguer.

50. Pleasure Ridge Park (Louisville, Ky.) 33-10
Coach Bill Miller is third all-time among state's winningest coaches with over 800 wins in 28 seasons. His team that lost last year in the state semifinals was led by two of state's top players for this year in three-season standouts Zach Cox and Zach Osborne, a pair of pitcher-infielders.

Note:Three highly-ranked preseason Florida & Texas teams that have already lost this season are Central Catholic (Clearwater, Fla.); Flanagan (Pembroke Pines, Fla.); and Klein Collins (Klein, Texas). All three would have been included had they not already have lost and could easily come back in for the first regular season rankings.

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