Kaufmann commits to UBC Thunderbirds

LHP-1B Kaufmann (Regina, Sask.) of the Going Yard Academy Yards, Martin Academy, the Regina Dusters and Team Saskatchewan, has committed to the UBC Thunderbirds

February 4, 2025

By Bob Elliott

Canadian Baseball Network

Time was the Canada Cup was the route to a scholarship.

Lukas Kaufmann is still in that time.

And now, LHP-1B Kaufmann (Regina, Sask.) has impressed enough to gain a verbal commitment to the University of British Columbia Thunderbirds.

Kaufmann has been training with the Going Yard Academy Goats since the fall of 2023, Regina’s Martin Academy, the Regina Dusters and Team Saskatchewan.

At Fort McMurray, Alta. in the opener against Quebec, he did not play in a 7-2 loss. Then in a 5-4 loss to Ontario, the left-handed hitter played first and batted third. Next, in a 9-7 win over Nova Scotia as the DH, he had a pair of hits and drove in a run. Then came a 5-3 loss to British Columbia.

In the quarterfinal game, he was hitless in a 3-2 win against Ontario, but Saskatchewan was edged 6-5 in extras by Quebec. And he knocked in a run in a 7-6 loss to Manitoba in the bronze-medal game. He had an arm injury so he did not pitch at the nationals.

“Lukas is very dedicated athlete,” said coach Greg Brons. “He had some setbacks in 2024 due to injury but has worked his way back to being a healthy left-hander that can be a very effective pitcher when he gets his breaking ball across the plate.”

Over the first half of the 2024 season, he hit .460 with a 1.111 OPS, with 13 doubles, two triples and 31 RBIs. He walked 18 times, while striking out in 11 at-bats.

At Martin, he won the Golden Arm award. The 6-foot, 200-pounder was clocked at 87 MPH in November.

Kaufmann was one of four Canadians added to our Letters of Intent page. Meanwhile, Peter Berryman added 108 players to our 2025 Canadians in College list bringing our running total to 1,013 platers.