Randy Dobnak, Twins Overlooked Depth

After pitching for Alderson-Broaddhaus in college, the Twins unearthed Randy Dobnak during the 2017 season. He was throwing in independent baseball and signed a deal that sent him to Elizabethton. Two years later, he was pitching in the Major Leagues. A month later, he pitched against the New York Yankees in the postseason.

He received more notoriety for grinding as an Uber driver than as a pitcher, and people did not take his prospect status seriously despite Rocco Baldelli selecting him as a Game Two starter against the Evil Empire. No matter what you wanted to make of him, he had made it and was a big leaguer.

Things didn't go well in that postseason game, but the Twins were undeterred. He started ten games in 2020 during a weird Covid season and received a $9.25 million contract spanning five seasons. Then he pitched 50 2/3 innings at the highest level in 2021, and things worsened. A finger injury had him battling an ERA nearly hitting 8.00. It was clear that Dobnak needed a reset.

Dobnak has battled through the injury while regaining confidence and ability over the past two years. In 2023 though, he has been fully back and looks the part of a solid arm once again. Despite a St. Paul Saints rotation full of options, Dobnak has established himself as a pillar of consistency.

Talking with Dobnak on media day, he was still determining where his role would lie. Knowing the guys ahead of him needed innings, he would likely eat bullpen innings. He bounced between roles for a while but has been in the rotation since mid-May.

Nothing about his role ever deterred Dobnak. 

"I'm going to go out there and give my best effort regardless of my role with a team. I know what I am capable of doing and this year has been very important to me to stay healthy after everything I went through the past two years. I've never worried about things that are out of my control. If I can control what I can control, then at the end of the day I can look at myself and know that I gave my best effort."

Having made 15 straight starts, Dobnak owns a 3.91 ERA in that stretch, and removing his one blowup takes it down to a 2.79 ERA. He has been more of a five-and-dive guy, but that's not unexpected for a pitcher that uses an approach to induce weak contact. He has posted a K/9 north of 8.0 and allowed just eight homers in over 90 innings.

It's not lost on Dobnak that he's been on a roll. 

"Taking care of my body each day and attacking the zone has been key," Dobnak said. "If I fall behind, getting back into counts with competitive pitches has been key."

Dobnak's bugaboo this season has been traffic. He has an inflated WHIP while working around and an inflated walk rate, and he still allows too many hits during each outing. The recipe there is one that could tax a bullpen, but he's at least making the conversation worth having again.

Pitching against a good Triple-A club for the Reds on Wednesday, Dobnak turned in a scoreless start. He went just four innings, allowed zero runs, and worked around three walks. For Dobnak, pitching at this level has to feel good after what he has gone through. Working back from an injury that never made any sense and a rehab process that was unclear, results are what matter for now.

"Going back to look at the game today I'm sure I will see that the guys reaching base were primarily hitters I fell behind on. Attacking early is where my focus has been. I have tried to keep hitters off balance with a good mix of pitches and location."

The Twins committed to Dobnak through the 2025 season, and there are team options in consideration in the following three seasons. Even if they don't, he still gets another $1 million as a buyout before 2025.

Seeing success down the stretch this season hasn't been by accident. Dobnak said, "Finally finding a slider that has pretty decent movement has helped me discover who I can be going forward. After the ginger injury, the sinker doesn't sink nearly as much as it used to. I think I am a better pitcher now than when I broke into the big leagues four years ago."

Maybe the Twins don't find a spot for Dobnak this season or the rest of his time with them, but he's continued to put forth the effort that has earned him each opportunity. Dobnak will be just 31 in 2026 and can continue his career elsewhere. No matter what happens, a kid from an overlooked school earned his opportunity and then gained it back again.

Dobnak's family embraces hard work but remains humble in every way. He has embodied that on a public stage, and whatever is next, you can bet he'll take that opportunity and run with it as well.

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