Bobby Wilkinson carries a quiet demeanor through the locker room of Dripping Springs Baseball. Yet, for some, even the coaches, that quiet demeanor is what brings out the leadership skills in Wilkinson. The Second-Year varsity player is one of the key catalyst in Dripping Springs success to start the 2026 season. Coming off of a year where he sat behind many seniors, including those who has gone on to play baseball at a higher level, Wilkinson is looking to translating those leadership skills into a State Championship.
“It feels good (with the start). Coming off last year, I sat behind some really good seniors, you get a chance to learn from guys like that.“, says Wilkinson. “I think it’s definitely good for me to take the expectations from last year and carry them on to this season.” Dripping Springs has started off red hot. After finishing the preseason with a 12-4-1 record, and a Comal ISD Invitational Preseason Tournament victory, Dripping Springs has started off the district season 4-0, scoring a total 57 runs in those four games. Last Monday Night, Wilkinson went only one for four, but with that he also had four runs batted in, hit the ball in the right spots in order to bring runs across the board. Wilkinson’s leadership has also caught the eye of his head coach, Chris Payne. Coach Payne says that the evolution of Wilkinson is helping spur the Tigers team. “It’s fun to watch Bobby evolve,” says Coach Payne. “He’s constantly coaching himself. Game to Game adjustments, bat-to-bat adjustments, and then the in-bat adjustment is where he’s at right now. And that’s where you want to be at a high level. To be able to diagnose yourself and get better.”
This year, Wilkinson has remained an everyday starter for the Tigers. Either at third base or first, defensively, he has rose to the occasion. Although he’s used to playing at third, Wilkinson believes that he can turn into an outstanding first baseman. “I’ve always played third, but with the way that our team is shaping up, first base is looking like where it’s going to be.
Currently, Wilkinson has 17 hits on the season. While driving in 13 runs on the season. He has placed himself well within the cleanup spot and hopes to continue his hitting success for the rest of the district season. Dripping Springs resumes district play against Bowie on Tuesday and Friday of this week, with Anderson coming to Dripping Springs on Saturday.