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. Today, we will continue to release our 2026 Preseason Power 25 Team Rankings. We will take you right up to first pitch this season with a new team each day.

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.

*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.

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The #17 Buchholz Bobcats (Class 6A, Region 1) enter the Preseason Power 25 as back-to-back FHSAA Class 6A state runners-up, fresh off a program-record 33-3 season in 2025 that included a dominant regular season, district title, and a Final Four run before falling 8-3 to St. Thomas Aquinas in the state championship game. The Bobcats return a talented, tight-knit core with pitching depth and infield continuity—poised to chase that elusive first state title.

Head Coach: Chris Malphurs

Follow Them: X: @BuchholzBSBL, IG: @buchholzbobcatbaseball

2025 Recap: Finished with a school-best 33-3 overall (3-0 district), claiming most wins in program history and back-to-back runner-up finishes (second straight year losing in the state final). Highlights included a red-hot stretch (12 wins in last 13 entering finals).

Key Departures: JJ Gardner (Jacksonville), Kai So (Harvard), Cedaris Smith (College of Central FL), Wyatt Clarke (Belmont Abbey)—standouts from the 2025 run.

Top Returners and Newcomers:

A veteran group with multiple college commits, returning all four starting infielders, and top arms.

• Top Returning Players and Impact Transfers:
• (2026) Aidan Kastensmidt - RHP/OF (Jacksonville commit)
• (2026) Blake Brewer - 2B (Gulf Coast State commit)
• (2026) Dion Wilburn - RHP (Jacksonville commit)
• (2026) Reed Thomas - RHP (FGCU commit)
• (2026) Cohen Lafler - RHP (Embry-Riddle commit)
• (2026) Zac Brown - INF (Lake-Sumter State commit)
• (2026) Drew Almond - OF (Northwest Florida State commit)
• (2026) Angel Irizarry - CF (senior transfer from Santa Fe HS)
• (2027) Hudson Sapp - SS (returning starter)
• (2027) Roen Kresak - 3B (returning starter)

Projected Starting Pitchers: Aidan Kastensmidt, Dion Wilburn, Reed Thomas, Cohen Lafler (quality and depth stand out—multiple committed arms ready to lead a strong staff).

Projected Starting Lineup: C - Tyler Thurmond, 1B - Zac Brown, 2B - Blake Brewer, SS - Hudson Sapp, 3B - Roen Kresak, OF - Drew Almond, CF - Angel Irizarry, OF - Aidan Kastensmidt (two-way), with speed/athleticism across the diamond.

Impact Underclassmen: Ashton Norris (Sophomore, ATH/DH)—versatile threat expected to contribute offensively.

Team Outlook:

Strengths: Pitching quality/depth, all four starting infielders returning, team speed/athleticism, and exceptional chemistry.

Coach's Quote: "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."

Standout Players:

• Top Seniors (2026): Aidan Kastensmidt (RHP/OF, Jacksonville), Blake Brewer (2B, Gulf Coast State), Dion Wilburn (RHP, Jacksonville), Reed Thomas (RHP, FGCU), Cohen Lafler (RHP, Embry-Riddle), Zac Brown (INF, Lake-Sumter State), Drew Almond (OF, NWF State), Angel Irizarry (CF, transfer).
• Top Juniors (2027): Hudson Sapp (SS), Roen Kresak (3B), Tyler Thurmond (C/RHP).

Key Games to Watch: Tough non-district slate includes @ Jesuit (Feb 27), @ Berkeley Prep (Feb 28), vs. Suwannee (Mar 6), vs. Creekside (Mar 12), vs. Lowndes (GA, Mar 30), @ Suwannee (Apr 3), vs. Lincoln (Apr 9). Full schedule on MaxPreps/GameChanger.

At #17 in the Preseason Power 25, Buchholz returns a cohesive, pitching-rich squad with revenge motivation from consecutive state final losses—don't be surprised if the Bobcats finally break through for a championship in Class 6A.

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