Growing up as the son of a former Major League ballplayer often brings extreme pressure and expectations to live up to the accomplishments of the father.
Kristopher Hobson, Stockdale
Photo by Craig Morley
But so far, Kristopher “K.C.” Hobson of Bakersfield Stockdale is more than living up to the potential cast upon him as the offspring of former Boston Red Sox third baseman Butch Hobson. Friday, the 6-foot-3, 205-pound first baseman leads his team into battle against Clovis West in search of a second straight Central Section Division 1 championship.
The player of the year in the Bakersfield area last season, Hobson has been the catalyst again this year for the Mustangs. In an 11-8 first-round win over Centennial, Hobson had a home run and an RBI basehit to pace the offense. Against Bullard in the second round, Hobson picked up the 4-3 pitching win to put the Mustangs into the championship game for the second straight year.
“I expect us to win a championship again,” Hobson said. “We are tough because we have a solid staff and a tough lineup,”
Stockdale coach Dan Lemon is happy that he has Hobson on his side.
“K.C. knows the game. He hit a ball at the pro park here that is still in orbit,” Lemon said. “He has big time power, a 93 mph fastball and he is left handed. He has grown up in a big league clubhouse. K.C. is a can’t-miss player.”
Kristopher Hobson, Stockdale
Photo by Craig Morley
While Hobson is often the focus of the Mustang lineup, he says that he has plenty of help on the team. He notes that infielder Scott Denesha, pitcher Philip Valos, outfielder Isaiah Turner and infielder’s Ryan Atherly and Kyle Desimore all have the potential to play at the next level.
The Mustangs face a Clovis West team that made noise early in the season when the pitching staff combined for three no-hitters during the first month. The Golden Eagles topped Central of Fresno 9-0 in the first round and edged rival Clovis 6-4 in the semifinals.
Hobson was born about 10 years after his dad ended his eight-year Major League career. Butch Hobson broke in with the Red Sox during their World Series season in 1975. He later became the team’s fulltime third baseman and set a club record with 30 home runs in his second full season.
However a right elbow injury plagued Hobson’s career and he eventually left the game in 1982 after stints with the Angels and the Yankees.
Ever since, Hobson has been a manager at some level, first with the Pawtucket Red Sox and for many years with the Nashua Pride. He now coaches the South Maryland Blue Crabs in the Atlantic League and was named manager of the year in 2008.
Kristopher Hobson, Stockdale
Photo by Craig Morley
K.C. Hobson says that his earliest baseball moments are being on the field with his dad.
“He has helped me with all aspects of the game and how to play it the right way,” he said.
The younger Hobson has obviously been a quick study. As a sophomore, he batted .463 with 16 doubles, three home runs and 40 RBI.
The following year, Hobson blossomed into the area’s top player. In leading the Mustangs to a 31-4 record and a Central Section championship, Hobson batted .505 with 57 RBI, 17 doubles and seven home runs. He was also 10-1 on the mound with 84 strikeouts.
This year the Mustangs entered the playoffs as the No. 4 seed with a 23-5 record. Hobson has had another MVP-type season, batting .488 with 50 RBI, 10 doubles and 14 home runs. He also is 7-1 on the mound, giving him a three-year pitching record of 22-2.
Lemon notes that Hobson is one of the hardest workers on the team.
“He is there an hour before practice working on his hitting and he hits the gym after practice,” said Lemon.
Ranked No. 33 in the MaxPreps Baseball Top 100, Hobson is expected to be drafted among the early rounds of next month’s Major League Baseball draft. Hobson has also signed a letter of intent to play at Texas A&M if he decides not to sign a Major League contract.
“I would love to be a professional baseball player,” Hobson said. “I just try to work hard, accept the failures in the game and move on.”
