The 2024 Georgia high school baseball season is quickly approaching and, as usual, excitement is abound 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 Georgia.

Teams across the state have goals and aspirations to finish their seasons in mid-May inside one of Coolray Field, AdventHealth Stadium, or JI Clements Stadium at Georgia Southern University. We hope to familiarize our readers with many of the teams across the state as we preview individual teams across Georgia. We will take you right up to first pitch this season with these team previews, eventually releasing our Preseason Power 25 rankings that’ll carry us into the opening week of action.

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 and updating the Power 25 rankings.

Our 2024 preseason coverage continues today.

High School: Buford Wolves
Head Coach: Stuart Chester
Classification: 7A
2023 Record (Finish): 19-15 (Second round)
Team X Handle: @Bwolvesbaseball

Team Strengths: Frontline starter and experience in the lineup
No. of Returning Position Players: 7
No. of Returning Pitchers: 3

 

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TOP SENIORS

• Nate Taylor, Georgia commit
• Ethan Murray, Georgia Tech commit
• Damian Brown
• Madden Young
• Sam Humphrey, Union University commit
• Jayden Clark
• Blake Russell

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TOP JUNIORS

• Cannon Goldin, Ole Miss commit
• Braden Burton
• Colin Oates

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TOP UNDERCLASS FOLLOWS

• Ayden Lockett, 2026
• Kyle Krause, 2026 Virginia commit
• Ian Shafer, 2027

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TEAM OUTLOOK

A year removed from a Region 8-7A title, Coach Stuart Chester returns a strong roster that’s led by a bonafide ace and one of the best junior outfielders in the country. Ole Miss commit and 2023 Prep Baseball All-American OF Cannon Goldin highlights the offense and defense in CF, and brings some of the best bat-to-ball skills in the state, regardless of class. Flanking him in the outfield are two highly athletic players in senior Jayden Clark and sophomore Ayden Lockett, who’s fresh off a strong performance at Preseason All-State. The Wolves have tons of experience and returning production in the dirt with seniors throughout. The middle-infield duo of 2B Blake Russell and Georgia Tech commit SS Ethan Murray gives Buford one of the best double-play combos in the region, and 3B Madden Young will be a lock in the top half of the lineup as an OBP machine. Senior Sam Humphrey is the team leader behind the plate and will be vital as this team navigates a tough schedule this season. Aforementioned SP1 is Georgia commit RHP Nate Taylor, who returns after a 1.60 ERA junior year and offers budding stuff with present plus command. Expect uncommitted senior RHP Damien Brown to slot in the rotation next and brings impressive pitchability that will be very beneficial in regional play. Virginia commit sophomore RHP Kyle Krause will be one to watch for the Wolves as the stuff continues to get louder as well as continued added experience. Buford has good senior experience in the bullpen and look for junior Braden Burton to be a great asset as he looks to build off of a strong off-season. The Wolves know how to win and will be regional favorites once again, I’d be quite bullish on Buford improving on 19 wins from 2023.

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