How a New Take on an Old Pitch May Save Randy Dobnak’s Career

In a game where every pitch counts, Randy Dobnak could be on the cusp of reinventing his career with one new weapon in his arsenal, a pitch called the kick-change. Baseball, as we know it, is in a constant state of evolution. Batters are pushing the envelope by seeking innovative techniques to harness their power, as evidenced by the recent frenzy surrounding the "torpedo" bat during the Yankees’ home run rampage last weekend. Meanwhile, pitchers like Dobnak are under immense pressure to adapt and maintain their own competitive edge.

Dobnak’s story this season has been heartwarming. As a surprise addition to the Opening Day roster, he was thrust into an unexpected role when Bailey Ober’s shaky start left the bullpen in dire straits. With nearly 80 pitches thrown in relief during the team’s opening series, Dobnak’s workload skyrocketed, highlighting the crucial need for reliability in relief arms. Despite being designated for assignment (a move that, under current rules, won’t cut him loose due to the unique contract), Dobnak’s future hangs in the balance. Now, all eyes are on his latest experiment: the kick-change.

The kick-change is a fresh approach that’s been making the rounds across the baseball community this year. Developed by Shaun Anderson, this pitch rethinks the conventional changeup.

“Instead of keeping my middle finger on top and spiking it, I turn it over to the side and I almost spike the right side of the seam,” Anderson explained in an interview with The Sporting Tribune. “It’s just really about kicking the axis upside down, rather than getting really on top of it. So, just being able to kick it with your middle finger is really the purpose of the kick-change.”

In essence, the kick-change flips the script on the typical delivery, focusing on an innovative “kicking” motion with the middle finger to disrupt the batter’s timing. This new angle means that pitchers can introduce unexpected movement by altering the ball’s axis mid-flight (as it will seem to the batter, at least), rather than relying solely on velocity differences.

What we’re beginning to see, even in small samples, is that the kick-change is not only about deception but also about precision. In his recent outing, Dobnak experimented with this new twist on his repertoire by throwing 19 changeups, each exhibiting subtle yet meaningful differences. His average velocity dropped from 85.8 mph in 2024 to 84.9 mph this season. It’s a slight reduction that could prove lethal, when combined with the additional vertical drop. The vertical drop on the pitch increased from 43.3 inches to 44.0 inches, an adjustment that may sound minor on paper but could change how the ball behaves as it approaches the hitter. Additionally, the spin on the ball decreased from 1457 rpm to 1157 rpm, suggesting that Dobnak is intentionally dialing down the rotation to emphasize the pitch’s “kick” effect.

To help aid his kick-change, Dobnak has made a few other alterations to his delivery to help separate his breaking pitches from his fastball. His sinker movement changed this year, so the altered changeup (which moves similarly to last year) now has more separation from the fastballs than it did before. His arm slot is also slightly higher this year (+3 degrees), so the batter’s perspective of the pitch will be different even with a similar movement profile.

The implications for Dobnak are significant. In today’s game, where every edge is scrutinized and the competition is fierce, a pitch like the kick-change could be the key to salvaging his career and giving him a big-league role beyond 2025. His performance with Triple-A St. Paul will undoubtedly serve as the litmus test for whether this approach can be successfully translated to the major leagues. For a pitcher who has already been under the microscope because of his unique contract, this new pitch might be the catalyst that revitalizes his role in the organization.

Critics and fans alike will be watching closely, as the evolution of the kick-change could signal broader shifts in pitching strategies across baseball. Pitchers are in a constant arms race with batters. As hitters adopt new tools, pitchers are compelled to innovate to level the playing field. The kick-change represents one such innovation, a pitch that challenges traditional mechanics and offers a fresh approach to outsmarting batters who are ever-vigilant for any sign of predictability.

For Dobnak, embracing the kick-change is a calculated risk. His recent appearance, marked by subtle adjustments in velocity, drop, and spin, hints at a commitment to mastering this new tool. Although the sample is small, the early data is promising enough to warrant attention. Dobnak’s experiment with the kick-change is emblematic of that ever-present struggle to remain relevant in a sport that continuously reinvents itself. For a pitcher fighting to secure his future, a well-executed kick-change could be the turning point that saves his career. 

Will the kick-change help Dobnak to extend his career? Leave a comment and start the discussion.