By Ben Enos Contra Costa Times
Just days after completing his senior season, Alhambra High’s Robert Stephenson has been named the Gatorade California Baseball Player of the Year. As a pitcher, Stephenson finished the season with a 8-2 record, 1.19 ERA, 142 strikeouts and only 23 walks. He did it with an ever-growing group of professional scouts at every game, and helped the Bulldogs reach the second round of the North Coast Section Division III playoffs. “To me, it’s a great honor,” Stephenson said. “Overall, I thought it was a pretty good season. I thought we had a pretty good year.” Stephenson also hit .324 with 14 RBIs and played right field when he wasn’t on the mound. His calling card, though, was a fastball that could hit 98 mph, a sharp curveball that often proved unhittable and poise on the mound. “I think it’ll be cool to look back and see all the accomplishments,” Stephenson said. Stephenson has already committed to attend Washington but is expected to be a first- or second-round draft pick in Monday’s Major League Baseball first-year player draft.
