Following a second straight state championship game appearance, the Buchholz baseball team has the pieces to make another run in 2026.

On Tuesday, seven of this year’s senior class signed to play college baseball – Aidan Kastensmidt and Dion Wilburn (Jacksonville University), Reed Thomas (Florida Gulf Coast University), Cohen Lafler (Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University), Drew Almond (Northwest Florida State College), Blake Brewer (Gulf Coast State College) and Zac Brown (Lake-Sumter State College).

“It’s unusual,” said Buchholz first-year head coach Chris Malphurs. “This looks more like a football signing than it does a baseball signing…we’ve got a lot of talent here. They practice at an elite level. We’re just fortunate to have them. I can’t remember a day where the baseball team had seven signees, so this is a historic day for Buchholz.”

Athletics Director Billy Pankey echoed those comments when he took the podium to introduce the new signees.

“What a special day, right?” Pankey said. “What a day that we get to celebrate not just Buchholz, but these seven young men that are making the next big step. There are not many programs across the state that get seven kids to sign this high level. This is a real testament to the Buchholz culture. It’s a real testament to these young men’s hard work, their dedication and their commitment to Buchholz, Buchholz baseball, and the community.”

Three of the signees will play Division I, including right-handed pitcher/outfielder Aidan Kastensmidt and Dion Wilburn, who are both headed to Jacksonville University.

“He’s (Kastensmidt) been a rock for four years now and he has pitched in some of the biggest moments in Buchholz high school history,” Malphurs said. “He started the state championship for us last year, he pitched in the final four the year before, and I think he clinched it the year before to get to the final four. Just an all-around player.”

Last year, he led the Bobcats (33-3) on the mound with a 12-2 record and a 2.53 earned run average (ERA) with 67 strikeouts in 63.2 innings pitched (IP).

Kastensmidt (6’1, 180), who played in all 36 games as a junior and batted .297 with six doubles, three home runs and 26 runs batted in (RBI), has been a JU commit since last year.

“Really, it was just the coaching staff and trying to get on the field early,” he said about the Dolphins, who compete in the Atlantic Sun Conference. “It’s a great spot for me, honestly, and I’m really excited.”

Wilburn, who will join Kastensmidt at JU, is a right-handed pitcher who will also play some at first base until Brown returns from his injury.

“Dion’s my guy,” Malphurs said. “Dion, super athletic kid, probably one of the most accurate throwers of the baseball that I’ve ever seen. Always has a smile on his face and is a joy to be around each and every day. I love him.”

As a junior, Wilburn (6’6, 200) finished 4-0 with a 2.36 ERA. He had 53 strikeouts in only 35.2 IP.

“It feels amazing,” Wilburn said. “I’ve been dreaming of this day since I was a kid. Now that it has finally come, it shows that what I’ve done has worked off and paid off, so it’s nice that the day is finally here.”

Thomas (6’2, 180), another right-handed pitcher, will also be competing in the ASUN conference at Florida Gulf Coast University in Fort Myers.

“Reed is another one who puts a smile on your face. Another hard worker. A guy that’s come on late, he’s young for his class,” Malphurs said. “He’s a guy who has really blossomed and has electric stuff out of his hand. A lot of these guys have bright futures, but Reed’s one that may have that ‘it.’ We could watch in five years, and Reed may be pitching on television. He’s got the stuff.”

In 11.2 IP, Thomas struck out 10.

“It feels great,” said Thomas, who noted FGCU made him the offer the first month of summer. “I mean, I’ve been looking forward to this for a long time with all my friends here. We’ve all been committed. We all played on the same summer team. We’ve all just had a lot of fun, and it means a lot to me and my family.”

Cohen Lafler (RHP/3B) will play at Division II Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Daytona Beach.

“It’s just nails, man, he’s just a straight competitor,” Malphurs said. “You can put him in any situation and it’s not going to matter. He can come and put the fire out when you need it, but he can start the party as well. On the mound, he’s about as strong-willed and minded a kid as we have on the team.”

Lafler (5’11, 175) finished with a 3-0 record and a 1.64 ERA, along with 53 strikeouts and just 10 walks in 47 innings pitched.

“It feels awesome,” he said. “I’m thankful for everything that’s put me in this position. It’s exciting. Not many people get to play college baseball, so it’s just a wonderful thing, a wonderful experience. It’s pretty close to home, great location. When I went there, the campus was great. The coaching staff was wonderful, so I just had a great experience. I left thinking that I could see myself being there for the next four years.”

Brewer, who will play second base, is headed to Gulf Coast State College in Panama City.

“Blake’s the ultimate competitor,” Malphurs said. “Blake gets after it every day. He’s got a ton of fire. A guy that is never satisfied and wants to be the best he can possibly be all the time. Tremendous to have.”

Brewer led the Bobcats offensively in 2025 with a .398 batting average (BA). He also led the team with 47 hits, 13 doubles and 38 RBI.

“I’m very grateful,” Brewer said. “It was just how competitive they (GCSC) were. They were making a deep run around the time they were recruiting me. I like to be able to compete, and I like to be able to play in good games.”

Almond, who plays outfield, signed with Northwest Florida State College in Niceville.

“Drew is another guy who has really come on, took off in the summer, and is going to be huge for us,” Malphurs said. “He is not afraid of the weight room. A guy that works extremely hard to get better and he is one that is figuring it all out very quickly, so I expect big things from him this year.”

Almond finished third on the team with a .353 BA.

“It’s obviously amazing to play at the next level,” he said. “I’ve worked so hard my whole life. I had Tommy John surgery two years ago and I had to battle through that for like a whole year, and then coming back this summer, I had everything to prove. Getting the opportunity to play at the college level really means a lot to me.”

Brown (1B/Utility), who is recovering from a back injury he has had since his sophomore year, will also stay in the Sunshine State and play at Lake-Sumter State College in Leesburg.

“Zac Brown, the epitome of an elite defender,” Malphurs said. “I think he’s two years, no errors in the infield, played shortstop as a sophomore on JV, no errors, and last year, 219 chances at first base, a position he had never played, didn’t make any errors over there. He came around offensively. He’s a little banged up right now, but we’re excited to get him back as soon as we can.”

Brown also played in every game as a junior and finished with a .282 BA

“This is what I’ve been looking forward to doing my whole life,” said Brown, who was offered in late November. “That’s what I worked for, so it feels great…they’re honestly really one of the only schools that gave me the opportunity, and I really appreciate that from them for believing in me and helping me be able to commit there.”

Ron Brooks, who retired as head coach after 15 seasons this past May, was also on hand to support his former players.

“It’s an awesome day to see these guys living out their dream,” Brooks said. “I always said this program would be in great hands when I left because it’s such a great school, great program, great administration, great parents, and these kids are a product of that, these young men, so it’s awesome to see them today and how well this program is moving along.”

The Bobcats will open the 2026 season at Chiles (Tallahassee) on Tuesday, Feb. 10, followed by the home opener against Columbia (Lake City) at 7 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 12.