The Northern Star counts down the top 10 athletes of the year, as picked by the sports staff.

As a leadoff hitter, Bobby Stevens’ main job is to get on base.

The junior shortstop has done just that for the NIU baseball team this season, which has helped him earn the No. 10 spot on the Northern Star’s top 10 athletes of the year list.

Stevens is second among Huskie starters with a .428 on base percentage. He has drawn 15 walks and has been hit by a pitch 23 times, an NIU record. Stevens has also shown off his speed with a team-high 18 stolen bases on the year.

The Chicago native isn’t just a singles hitter, either. Stevens has 15 doubles on the season and a team-leading three triples. He also leads the Huskies in runs scored with 41.

“It’s nice to be recognized,” Stevens said. “Especially with all of the good athletes at NIU on that list.”

As a junior, Stevens will be eligible for the MLB Draft this June. In MLB, players aren’t eligible for the draft until their junior season if they attend a four-year school.

Stevens realizes that being selected is a possibility.

“If it happens, it happens,” Stevens said. “If not, it’s pretty much out of my hands. If I play well enough, hopefully.”