ATHENS, Ga. --- Brandon Stephens, a high school All-America catcher, has signed a national letter-of-intent to attend the University of Georgia, Bulldog baseball coach David Perno announced Friday.
Stephens, a 6-0, 185-pound right-handed hitter, is the son of Bennett and LaDonna Stephens of Marietta, Ga. Currently, he is a senior at Lassiter High School, seeing action at catcher, pitcher and first base for coach Scott Kelly. He batted .350 with seven home runs and 25 RBI for the Trojans last year while going 2-0 with a 2.11 ERA and 14 strikeouts in 10 innings pitched. The Trojans went 22-9, and along with making the All-Region team, Stephens won his second straight Triple Crown award. In 2008, he batted .320-5-24 and went 3-0 on the mound for the Region 6 champion Trojans.
Stephens was the starting catcher for the East squad in the Aflac High School All-American Classic at PETCO Park in San Diego this past August. The annual Aflac All-American High School baseball game showcases the nation’s top prep talent in an East versus West matchup following their junior year. Also, he has been a standout for the East Cobb summer program including playing for the East Cobb Astros as they reached the finals of the 2009 World Wood Bat Association 17U National Championship.
“Brandon’s versatility is a plus, he’s a good defensive catcher and a talented pitcher,” said Perno. “He has proven himself in that role during his career, and we’re excited to have him on board.”
“I feel blessed to be a part of the University of Georgia and have the opportunity to play baseball there,” said Stephens.
The Bulldogs signed 11 student-athletes during the early period.
| Georgia Baseball Early Signees | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Name | Position | B-T | Height | Weight | Hometown (HS/JUCO) |
| Caleb Bryson | 1B/3B | R-R | 6-1 | 195 | Thomasville, Ga. (Thomas Co. Central) |
| Ralston Cash | RHP | R-R | 6-3 | 205 | Cornelia, Ga. (Lakeview) |
| Drew Cisco | RHP | R-R | 6-2 | 196 | Mt. Pleasant, S.C. (Wando) |
| James Garner | LHP | L-L | 5-11 | 150 | Loganville, Ga. (Loganville) |
| Jonathan Hester | INF | R-R | 6-3 | 195 | Savannah, Ga. (Middle Georgia JC) |
| Taylor Hicks | RHP | R-R | 6-3 | 207 | Watkinsville, Ga. (North Oconee) |
| Joe Robinson | RHP | R-R | 6-2 | 190 | Henderson, Nev. (College of S. Nevada) |
| Jeff Shields | RHP | R-R | 6-3 | 207 | Lawrenceville, Ga. (Chatt. Valley CC) |
| Brandon Stephens | C/RHP | R-R | 6-0 | 180 | Marietta, Ga. (Lassiter) |
| Conor Welton | OF | L-L | 6-0 | 190 | Atlanta, Ga. (Wesleyan School) |
| Austin Wheeler | 1B/OF | L-L | 6-3 | 185 | Lilburn, Ga. (Parkview) |























