Power 25 HS Preview: #18 Buford

January 26, 2023
PBR Georgia Staff
Justin Goetz

The 2023 Georgia high school baseball season is less than a month away. With the season getting pushed up one week the coaches and players have an extra week to prepare for opening day. Will it be sunny and 75? Or below freezing for opening day? The Georgia weather is unpredictable, just like trying to predict who will come out on top of each classification. The talent in the State of Georgia continues to be one of the best in the country. Some regions have a fresh new look, and some region foes will continue to battle for that top spot to earn the best road to the state championship.

We will begin to preview our Power 25 rankings each day until the season begins. Each week we will be releasing our players of the week, updating the Top 10 in each GHSA classification as well as a Power 25. Be sure to follow PBR Georgia on twitter for live action each week, as our staff travels throughout the state to cover baseball in the great state of Georgia.

High School Name: Buford

Coach’s Name: Stuart Chester

Classification: 7A

2022 Record: 29-8

Region: 8-7A

No. of Returning Starters: 4

Team Strengths: Young Talent

Top Returning Players:

SS Cole Taylor (2023)
OF Tyler Dushane (2023)
RHP Nate Taylor (Georgia Tech, 2024)
SS Ethan Murray (Georgia Tech, 2024)
OF Brandon Taliaferro (2023)

Top 2024 Prospects:

Top 2025 and 2026 Prospects

OF Cannon Goldin (2025)
SS Bubba Coleman (LSU, 2026)
OF Ayden Lockett (2026)
RHP Kyle Krause (Virginia, 2026)

Team Outlook

From top to bottom, this Wolves roster is littered with explosive tools. With this being one of their younger teams in recent memory, there are some national names that will fill the void seamlessly. The leader of the Buford pitching staff will undoubtedly be ‘24 RHP Nate Taylor. The future Yellow Jacket has the durable frame and dependable 3 pitch mix (FB 85-87 T88 late cut, 74-76 CB vertical shape, CH 78-80 serious fade) to lead them deep into the playoffs. Fellow Georgia Tech Commit ‘24 SS Ethan Murray is one of the most projectable, well rounded players in the Southeast for his class and is coming off some impressive performances nationally from the summer/fall circuit. His cool, calm, collected presence at the plate combine with an up the middle approach that fits perfectly with his simplified, well timed forward move. With his impressive bat 2 ball skills and discipline to take what pitchers give him, he can lead this classification in batting average.

Nate Taylor RHP / RHP / Buford, GA / 2024

Rankings StateRank: 86 / POS: 24

‘24 RHP Nate Taylor(@Bwolvesbaseball) 6 foot 1, 185 pounder, strong lower half & projection shut the door for the Wolves in game 1, 7-3. Well paced delivery w/ lengthy full circle AA hi 3/4 slot. Rides backside well down bump. FB 84-85 w/ cut, feel for CB 74-75, nasty CH 78-79. pic.twitter.com/AbHeXVXMPx
— PBR Georgia (@PBRGeorgia) May 3, 2022

Ethan Murray SS / 3B / Buford , GA / 2024

Rankings StateRank: 26 / POS: 8 OverallRank: 207 / POS: 50

‘24 Ethan Murray (GA) has taken some really quality ABs.

Obvious power potential with ability to get off good swings in all counts. Balanced.

Singles up the middle here ?@GTBaseball recruit @PBRGeorgia pic.twitter.com/GutVsv621q
— Shooter Hunt (@ShooterHunt) August 13, 2022

But he has some competition in the hit for avg department on his own team, in the form of ‘25 CF Cannon Goldin. We all know about his 5 tool potential and prototype table setter qualities, but we look most forward to watching him breaking down opposing teams with his intensity and hustle. There are few players in the country with his killer instinct on the field. Goldin will be a real threat to lead 7A in SB’s and runs scored.

Cannon Goldin OF / LHP / Buford , GA / 2025

Rankings StateRank: 1 / POS: 1 OverallRank: 26 / POS: 4

‘25 CF Cannon Goldin(@Bwolvesbaseball @TEAMELITENATION)

Initial accel. in 60 (6.8) matches first name, turning in ++ home to 1st times in game. No 1. in the class has some of the best bat strength I’ve seen at his age. BP w/ wood was LOUD. 88 from OF!@PBRGeorgia @ShooterHunt pic.twitter.com/aWjdsth2Mw
— Justin Goetz (@JGoetzPBR) January 9, 2023

The Wolves have a great veteran presence in ‘23 OF Tyler Dushane & ‘23 SS Cole Taylor. Both are A/AVG runners with standout athleticism who love to grind game in and game out. Their incoming 2026 class rivals any in the state, as we welcome LSU commit IF Bubba Coleman, Virginia commit RHP Kyle Krause, and OF Ayden Lockett. Bubba will be a jolt to this offense and with no issues facing 7A arms, as he’s been barreling quality pitchers 2-3 years older than him for the past few summers. Krause is one of the most advanced arms in the class, ranking 117th nationally. His ability to get ahead with his 84-86 T87 FB (late tail) and throw his nasty 2 plane 70-72 CB in any count make him a real weapon. Add in his CH of the same quality with fade & depth, and you’ve got 4 years of dominance on the way. Lockett will make an impact in multiple facets due to athleticism.

Tyler Dushane OF / RHP / Buford , GA / 2023

‘23 OF Tyler Dushane(@Bwolvesbaseball) loose, active hands w/ present bat speed. Gap to gap line drives with backspin. Some length to swing but repeats launch position well and can manipulate barrel at top or bottom of zone. #SESrGames pic.twitter.com/51OkIQk08z
— PBR Georgia (@PBRGeorgia) July 25, 2022

Cole Taylor SS / 3B / Buford, GA / 2023

Bubba Coleman SS / 2B / Buford, GA / 2026

Rankings StateRank: 3 / POS: 2 OverallRank: 14 / POS: 8