Prep Baseball Report

2025 Georgia Preview: Buford Wolves


Prep Baseball Georgia
Staff

The 2025 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 Georgia.

Teams across the state have goals and aspirations to finish their seasons in the GHSA or GIAA state playoffs, 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 Georgia. We will take you right up to first pitch this season with these team previews and by continuing our scheduled podcasts and releasing our preseason top-10 rankings in each GHSA classification and Power 25.

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, updating the top-10 ranks in each GHSA classification, as well updating our Power 25 overall rankings. One thing, especially, you don’t want to miss are our scheduled podcasts with guests from across the state, as well as the recaps and previews of the big games we’re covering.

*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: Buford Wolves
Head Coach: Stuart Chester
Classification: GHSA Class 6A
Region: 8-6A
2024 Record (Finish): 25-10, Elite 8
No. of Returning Positional Starters: 4
Team Strengths: Team Defense


TOP RETURNING PLAYERS 

  • 2025 OF Cannon Goldin, Ole Miss commit
  • 2025 RHP Braden Burton
  • 2026 OF/RHP Ayden Lockett
  • 2026 C Vance Bock 
  • 2026 RHP Ryland Perry 

TOP UNDERCLASSMEN

  • 2028 OF/RHP Dexter McCleon Jr.
  • 2028 SS Lio Garcia
  • 2027 SS Ian Chafin 
  • 2027 C/3B Graham Young
  • 2027 RHP/OF Carson Reeves

TEAM OUTLOOK

The Wolves come into the 2025 season with high-level upside due to immense underclass talent and one of the top outfielders in the state, while at the same time looking to compete in what appears to be a brutal region. Senior CF Cannon Goldin presently shows both plus speed and a plus glove to anchor the outfield defense as well as operating as a premier top-of-the-order option for Buford, letting that speed thrive with an impressive all-fields hit tool. Junior OF/RHP Ayden Lockett became a vital piece as a sophomore on a veteran team and now looks to thrive as being one of the guys for this Wolves ballclub this spring. To round out the outfield and one of the biggest strengths for this team is the top ranked freshman in the county in Dexter McCleon Jr. The five-tool star will be a must-watch from opening day with immense hit/power upside and potential to be a big-time power arm in the bullpen as well. Junior C Vance Bock is an important returning piece, providing stability behind the plate and budding power potential to be a middle-of-the-order threat. Three underclassmen have a chance to earn big roles in the infield with the trio of sophomores MIF Ian Chafin, 3B Graham Young, and freshman SS Lio Garcia, who is a premium talent in Georgia’s 2028 class and has the upside to develop into something special over the next four years. Uncommitted senior RHP Braden Burton likely headlines the rotation with pitchability and experience at the top while getting help from the likes of Lockett, junior RHP Ryland Perry and others.Sophomore Carson Reeves is one prospect to keep an eye on. He has made some big strides in his game, especially on the mound. He is a speedster, at the very least we could see him be utilized for his speed on the bases or the outfield. Buford is no stranger to a difficult schedule, and this spring will be a challenge once again with series against Marist, Mill Creek, Dacula among others but coach Stuart Chester will have the wolves ready to roll on February 14th.


Find more information on the 2025 Buford program below:

+ Follow them on X: @Bwolvesbaseball
+ Visit the Prep Baseball Georgia, 2025 HS Team Previews


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Upcoming Events

SHOWCASE DATE LOCATION
East Georgia Preseason ID
1/12 Infinite Vision Sports Academy - Flowery Branch, Ga
Preseason All-State: Underclass 1/18 Infinite Vision Sports Academy - Flowery Branch, Ga
Preseason All-State: Upperclass 1/19 Infinite Vision Sports Academy - Flowery Branch, Ga
East Georgia Rising Stars ID (2029 and 2030 grads) 2/1 Infinite Vision Sports Academy - Flowery Branch, Ga
LakePoint Rising Stars ID (2029 and 2030 grads) 2/17 LakePoint Sports