Randy Dobnak

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Randy Dobnak

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Biographical Information[edit]

Randy Dobnak came out of nowhere to become a folk hero as a very effective pitcher for the Minnesota Twins in 2019. He went to unheralded Alderson Broaddus University, located in Philippi, WV and which had never produced a major league player up to that time. He was undrafted and signed as a free agent with the Twins in July of 2017, after appearing in a few games in the United Shore League, a very low level independent circuit more akin to a semi-pro league. His big break was that his coach was former major leaguer Jim Essian who still knew some people in the game and recommended him to the Twins. He then pitched 6 games between the Elizabethton Twins and Cedar Rapids Kernels. At all three stops, his ERA was below 3.00, as it had been in three of his four seasons in college (it was a still very good 3.16 the other year).

In 2018, he spent a full season with Cedar Rapids in the Midwest League and posted some very good numbers as a starter, going 10-5, 3.14 in 24 games, logging 129 innings and issuing just 25 walks against 84 strikeouts. He was still far from being considered a prospect, however, and in the off-season had to work as a Uber driver to make ends meet. He impressed in spring training in 2019 and started a dizzying ride to the majors, first posting a minute 0.40 ERA in 4 starts for the Fort Myers Miracle in the Florida State League, followed by going 4-2, 2.57 in 11 games in AA with the Pensacola Blue Wahoos, and then 5-2, 2.15 in 9 games for the Rochester Red Wings in the International League. His record between the three stops was 12-4, 2.07 with a 109/28 K/W ratio. The Twins, who were leading the AL Central division largely on the strength of their bats at that point, decided to ignore his less than stellar pedigree and give him a shot, since no one at any level had been able to figure out his pitches until then. In 9 games for the Twins, including 5 starts, he went 2-1, 1.59, and continued his mastery of the strike zone, with 23 strikeouts and 5 walks in 28 1/3 innings. On October 5th, he was put into the spotlight when given the ball to start Game 2 of the Division Series, against the New York Yankees at New Yankee Stadium. He did not have his best stuff that day, allowing 4 runs on 6 hits and 2 walks in 2 innings to be charged with the 8-2 loss, but his journey to get to that spot was the stuff of legends.

In 2020, most observers expected him to turn back into a pumpkin and quickly lose his spot on a strong Twins pitching staff, but he showed that the previous season was not a fluke. He made 10 starts during the abbreviated season, and went 6-4, 4.05. He was fourth in the American League in wins, and a solid number 3 starter behind Cy Young Award contender Kenta Maeda and young All-Star Jose Berrios. Interestingly, he had the highest ground ball to fly ball ratio in the majors among all pitchers with 35 or more innings, an excellent indicator of continued success in a context where most batters were trying to hit the ball in the air with the most lethal launch angle possible. Unfortunately for him, the Twins were swept in two games by the Houston Astros in the Wild Card Series, and his scheduled start in Game 3 never took place. In spring training in 2021 he led all major league pitchers by facing 49 batters and not allowing a single walk. When the Twins broke camp to prepare for Opening Day, he was rewarded with a new contract worth $9.25 million over five years. His days of driving for Uber were definitely over. However, he became a poster boy for the Twins' unexpected fall from grace that year, as he went just 1-7, 7.64 in 14 games before injuries cut short his season. Meanwhile, the team fell to last place.

There is nothing conventional about Dobnak's background, and the more one digs, the more unusual stuff turns up. For example, his offseason workout routines included throwing bullpen sessions with a 17-year-old high school catcher. He was the only qualified player Dobnak could find in his hometown of Hedgesville, WV, population 299. Aidan Milton was the catcher for the local high school team, and the two started working out together. The regular sessions not only helped Dobnak stay into shape, they also helped Milton refine his game and earn a scholarship to West Virginia University Potomac State College.

Further Reading[edit]

  • Do-Hyoung Park: "From Uber to Class A to Twins for pitcher: Twins' No. 3 prospect Graterol activated by Double-A Pensacola", mlb.com, August 9, 2019. [1]
  • Do-Hyoung Park: "Uber driver. Newlywed. ALDS Game 2 starter", mlb.com, October 5, 2019. [2]
  • Do-Hyoung Park: "Back to high school: Dobnak's offseason

Righty spent winter throwing to 17-year-old catcher in West Virginia", mlb.com, March 30, 2021. [3]

Related Sites[edit]

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