2016 Preseason PAISAA Fab Four
March 20, 2016
By Jacob Gill
Pennsylvania Assistant Director of Scouting
This isn't technically a "preseason" list, since the state's independent schools aren't subject to the PIAA uniform start date and have actually started playing games already, but it's close enough to roll with it. Also not subject to a cap on competitions, many of them will play 30+ games (as opposed to the PIAA maximum of 20) by the time the end of the regular-season rolls around. It is then, however, that their pitching depth will truly get tested, as the PAISAA tournament plays out its four rounds over the course of a five-day stretch, including the semifinals and championship on the same day. Our PAISAA Fab Four represents the schools we believe would reach the final day of competition (in bracket order), if the tournament were to be conducted starting today.
| Seed | School | Notes |
| 1 | Malvern Prep | The back-to-back champs are the prohibitive favorite until someone can knock them off in the PAISAA tournament in May, when pitching staff depth becomes paramount. The Friars head into this season with nine players committed to college programs, six of whom will toe the rubber. |
| 4 | The Haverford School | The Fords can make a case for having the best infield in the state, with a sophomore and three juniors who can all hit and pick it. Pitching staff that returns five experienced members will throw to a senior leader behind the dish. |
| 3 | Perkiomen School |
The tournament runner-up the past two seasons has a number of holes to fill in its line-up, but returns a solid core that will be bolstered by a couple of transfers. Pitching staff goes at least four deep and has two college-bound seniors. |
| 2 | Penn Charter |
Quakers may very well have the most talented roster in the state. However, the same could have been said the past two seasons when they fell in in the tournament semifinals to Perkiomen School. The line-up can hit one through nine, while the pitching staff has a number of quality arms looking to prove themselves. |
Others to Watch
Springside Chestnut Hill - With two competitive strike-throwers atop the rotation and a line-up that can force the issue with its athleticism, the Blue Devils are poised to make some noise.
Episcopal Academy - Two high-upside junior pitchers have the ability to keep the team in ballgames, while the majority of the regular line-up returns.
Mercersburg Academy - Perhaps still a year away with two sophomores atop the rotation, the Blue Storm were on the doorstep of the final four last season and have added a couple talented transfers (and a new head coach) who may provide the spark needed to get over the hump.
Germantown Academy - A first-year head coach will look to get the most out of a roster that has five college-bound seniors (two pitchers, three position players) with additional talent in the younger classes.
Season Preview Schedule
3/2 - PAISAA
3/3 - PIAA District V
3/4 - PIAA District IX
3/5 - PIAA District VI
3/6 - PIAA District IV
3/7 - PIAA District X
3/8 - PIAA District III (Class A & AA)
3/9 - PIAA District VII (Class A)
3/10 - PIAA District VII (Class AA)
3/11 - PIAA District II
3/12 - PIAA District XI
3/13 - PIAA District I (Class A, AA & AAA)
3/14 - PIAA District III (Class AAA)
3/15 - PIAA District VII (Class AAA)
3/16 - PIAA District I (Class AAAA)
3/17 - PIAA District III (Class AAAA)
3/18 - PIAA District VII (Class AAAA)
3/19 - PIAA District XII
3/20 - PAISAA Preseason Fab Four
3/21 - PIAA Class A Preseason Super 16
3/22 - PIAA Class AA Preseason Super 16
3/23 - PIAA Class AAA Preseason Super 16
3/24 - PIAA Class AAAA Preseason Super 16
