The 2026 high school baseball season is quickly approaching and as usual, excitement abounds throughout the state. Players and coaches have been working in preparation for the upcoming season, and, as is the case each year, there are some very talented players and teams across Florida.

Teams across the state have goals and aspirations to finish their seasons in the FHSAA state championships, but there is plenty of work to be done before that becomes reality. We hope to familiarize our readers with many of the teams across the state as we preview individual teams across Florida. We will take you right up to first pitch this season with these team previews and releasing our preseason top-25 rankings in the state.

Please keep checking back throughout the season as we will be your one-stop shop for everything related to high school baseball across the state.

Each week, we will be releasing our Players of the Week, as well as updating our Power 25 overall rankings.

*Please note the information has been gathered from head coaches across the state, based on their replies to the questionnaire we distributed over this offseason.

High School: Buchholz
Head Coach: Chris Malphurs
Classification: 6A
2025 Record (Finish): 33-3 State Runner-Up (Most wins in school history, back-to-back State Runner-Up finish)

 

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TOP RETURNING PLAYERS/TRANSFERS

Aidan Kastensmidt, RHP/OF, 2026 (Jacksonville Commit)
Blake Brewer, 2B, 2026 (Gulf Coast State Commit)
Dion Wilburn, RHP, 2026 (Jacksonville Commit)
Reed Thomas, RHP, 2026 (FGCU Commit)
Cohen Lafler, RHP, 2026 (Embry-Riddle Commit)
Zac Brown, INF, 2026 (Lake-Sumter State Commit)
Drew Almond, OF, 2026 (Northwest Florida State Commit)
Hudson Sapp, SS, 2027 (Returning Starter at SS)
Roen Kresak, 3B, 2027 (Returning Starter at 3B)
Angel Irizarry, CF, 2026 (Senior transfer from Santa Fe HS)

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TOP UNDERCLASSMEN

Ashton Norris, Soph ATH/DH

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OTHER UPPERCLASS FOLLOWS

Aidan Kastensmidt, RHP/OF
Blake Brewer, 2B
Dion Wilburn, RHP
Reed Thomas, RHP
Cohen Lafler, RHP
Zac Brown, INF

Tyler Thurmond, C/RHP
Hudson Sapp, SS
Roen Kresak, 3B

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TEAM OUTLOOK

Projected Starting 9: C Tyler Thurmond, 1B Zac Brown, 2B Blake Brewer, SS Hudson Sapp, 3B Roen Kresak, OF Drew Almond, CF Angel Irizarry, OF Aidan Kastensmidt
Projected Pitching Staff: Aidan Kastensmidt, Dion Wilburn, Reed Thomas, Cohen Lafler
Team Strengths: Pitching Quality and Depth
All 4 Starting INFs Returning
Team Speed and Athleticism

“This is the most together group of kids I've coached in 16 years. They love playing with and for one another. They're talented, experienced, and extremely fun to be around every day and coach.” – Chris Malphurs, head coach

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Find more information on the 2026 Buchholz program below:

+ Follow them on X, Instagram, or Facebook: X: @BuchholzBSBL IG: buchholzbobcatbaseball
+ Visit the Prep Baseball Florida, 2026 HS Team Previews

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FOLLOW PREP BASEBALL FLORIDA THROUGHOUT THE SPRING

+ Prep Baseball Florida on X
+ Prep Baseball Florida on Instagram
+ Prep Baseball Florida on Facebook

 

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Related Content

Upcoming Events

Showcase	State	Date	Location
South FL Preseason ID	FL	12/22	Athletic Angels Field - Boynton Beach, FL
South FL Rising Stars ID (2030-2031 Grads)	FL	12/22	Athletic Angels Field - Boynton Beach, FL
Tampa Preseason ID	FL	12/23	Carrollwood Day - Tampa, FL
Tampa Rising Stars ID (2030-2031 Grads)	FL	12/23	Carrollwood Day - Tampa, FL
Orlando Preseason ID	FL	12/29	Lake Brantley - Altamonte Springs, FL
Orlando Rising Stars ID (2030-2031 Grads)	FL	12/29	Lake Brantley - Altamonte Springs, FL
Jacksonville Preseason ID	FL	12/30	Bolles - Jacksonville, FL
Jacksonville Rising Stars ID (2030-2031 Grads)	FL	12/30	Bolles - Jacksonville, FL
Florida Preseason All-State (Invite-Only)	FL	01/04	IMG Academy - Bradenton, FL
Super 60 Pro Showcase	NATIONAL	02/01	The MAX - McCook, IL
Bradenton Rising Stars ID (2030-2031 Grads)	FL	02/08	IMG Academy - Bradenton, FL
Tampa Rising Stars ID (2030-2031 Grads)	FL	02/16	Berkeley Prep - Tampa, FL
South FL Rising Stars ID (2030-2031 Grads)	FL	03/17	Athletic Angels Field - Boynton Beach, FL
Florida Rising Stars Games (2030-2031 Grads)	FL	04/04	Jack Russell Stadium - Clearwater, FL