CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa – A circuitous journey that started with his senior season at Alderson Broaddus and ended with the Cedar Rapids Kernels in the Midwest League of Class A minor league baseball has provided plenty of time reflection for former Great Midwest Athletic Conference standout Randy Dobnak.
The Great Midwest recently caught up with Dobnak as the season came to a close to talk about his professional path from the Utica Unicorns to the Elizabethton Twins and the Kernels, as he continues to climb the organization’s ladder in pursuing a childhood dream.
Dobnak has one of the league’s four-no hitters fired since 2013 and graduated as the all-time career conference leader in ERA (2.61) with a minimum of 150 innings pitched.
He finished his collegiate career with 26 wins in 43 games started and logged 20 complete games with eight shutouts, another career Great Midwest record to his ledger.
Dobnak is the all-time conference leader in strikeouts with 284 and averaged 9.39 K/9 from 2014-2017. He joined the Minnesota Twins organization as a free agent and was stretched out as a starter in the Appy League with Elizabethton.
He dazzled with three starts before being promoted to the Cedar Rapids and posted a 2.43 ERA on the season across both levels. The 6-1 righty continued to display impeccable control on the mound and had an impressive 0.96 WHIP to go with 23 strikeouts in just over 33 innings pitched.
The Great Midwest thanks Randy for his time to answer the following questions and provide unique first-hand perspective on his experience so far.
What was the process like being signed by the Twins organization?
I was hanging out at my apartment up in Michigan when Justin Orlendoff, who is the director of baseball operations for the United State Professional Baseball League (USPBL), calls me and informs me that the Twins had gained an interest in potentially signing me to a contract! After talking with Brad Steil, the Twins’ director of professional scouting, I had officially signed with them! It all happened within a span of 20 minutes. I had no idea how to react. My fiancée was in the airport about to board her flight to come watch me play in Michigan when I facetimed her and told her. At first she didn’t believe me and to this day it is still so surreal that it happened! When I told my parents, my dad’s reaction was “no way!?” (but with a different choice of words); it had to be one my proudest moments I’ve ever gotten to share with someone. I had no previous idea that any of this was going to happen -- it all hit me at once and I was overwhelmed with excitement!
When did the scouting process truly begin for you?
My sophomore year Alderson Broaddus was the first time the process began when the Kansas City Royals had taken interest in me. They continuously scouted me over the rest of my college career – along with various other Major League teams – unfortunately I did not receive a call of draft day from any of them.
Walk us through your routine on a day you’re asked to start on the mound.
Typically that morning I will make a large breakfast/lunch that includes an omelet, toast and peanut butter, oatmeal, yogurt, granola, and some milk. Once I get to the field around 1400, I will just hangout around the clubhouse and watch sports. I will head out to the field around 40 minutes before the game and get a good stretch in, and begin throwing roughly 20 minutes from first pitch. I work to a decent long toss (~200 feet) before working my way back in, mixing my repertoire to my catcher. I throw around 25-30 pitches off the mound in my pre-game bullpen before heading to the dugout to wait until first pitch!
One thing – mechanics or otherwise - you have learned from your current minor league pitching coach.
My pitching coach down in Tennessee (rookie ball) noticed that I would always tip my pitches when pitching from the stretch, so I guess that’s one of the important things I’ve learned to adjust to so far.
Bus ride you dread the most in the minors.
I was lucky enough to not have any extremely long rides while I was in rookie ball and single A. My longest trip was only about 3 hours to Bluefield, WV. Some of the guys said they had traveled nearly 10 hours once, which sounds like a nightmare being on a bus that long!
What will you miss the most about playing college baseball at Alderson Broaddus?
What I’m definitely going to miss the most is all of the guys there. They made my time there so enjoyable and I still stay in touch with the majority and will be up there to visit them a few times this off season.
How did you end up starting your professional career for the Utica Unicorns?
My first two years there I played with Danny Essian, who was our catcher, and his dad, Jim Essian, saw me pitch multiple times. He was previous a player and manager in the Major Leagues who had recently started managing the Unicorns. I remember him saying something along the lines of, “I want you to pitch for me one day if you don’t get drafted.” He said this following the G-MAC tournament my freshman year, and that happens to be exactly what happened after the draft!
What are your offseason goals?
To get stronger and more flexible, working on my mechanics to bring everything together for the upcoming spring training and season.
How has family been able to support you in your professional journey?
My parents have been unbelievably supportive of everything, and I really cannot thank them enough for everything they do. They have been there since day 1 was back when I was 4 just starting. They’ve been able to come see almost every game I have pitched, from Michigan, to Tennessee, to Iowa. Although I never made a start in Iowa, they did make it to my only start which was in Wisconsin, for single A. They are unbelievable!
Is there a special meaning behind your current jersey number?
No, the numbers are just given to me. I haven’t had a chance to pick my own yet.
Who was your favorite baseball player growing up?
I absolutely loved watching Ken Griffey Jr growing up, as well as Josh Hamilton. I have both of their jerseys, Griffey with Mariners and Hamilton as a Ranger. I’ve already read Hamilton’s book “Beyond Belief” numerous times! As far as watching videos of players I didn’t get the chance to see play, I would go with Pete Rose. He was a freak. #FreePete.
Who is the toughest batter you have faced in your minor league and college career?
I will have to go with Hunter Newman, the former (Trevecca) Trojan and Cardinals’ minor leaguer. I could throw my best pitches to him and he would manage to spoil them and get his pitch, he was a great hitter. I would have played against him this year in rookie ball again as the Elizabethton Twins and Johnson City Cardinals are in the same division in the Appalachian League!
What model of glove do you use on the mound?
Nokona, the only American-made glove!
Debunk this myth – there is nothing to do in Iowa.
I can give you a fact – there is definitely a lot of corn! But there are things to do in Iowa. My favorite thing to do while I was there was heading over to Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and catching a Kernels game at Perfect Game Field! You should check it out sometime!
What is your current song to walk out and warm up to?
May We All – Florida Georgia Line with Tim McGraw. Although for my only home start they didn’t play it…In rookie ball we were only allowed to use instrumentals for walk-out songs.
After not being drafted, what was your mentality when teams passed on you?
I was originally a little disheartened and not sure what to do because I knew I was definitely good enough to be given a shot. I used that to motivate me to continue to compete while I was playing Independent Ball, staying within myself and playing to the level that I knew I was capable of. I’ve always had that mentality with everything I do and it’s finally starting to pay off, although I am taking a different route than most, I wouldn’t change it for the world!
What was the first MLB game you remember going to?
When I was around 4 years old, my dad took me and my brother to the final game at Three Rivers Stadium in Pittsburgh. We have pictures of us down on the field before they took it down and build PNC Park, which us three also went to the first game there!
Favorite ballpark food?
I’m a big fan of getting nachos and cheese. PNC Park has this combination of nachos with pulled pork and cheese, and I get it every time I go see the Pirates play!
When you’re not playing baseball, you enjoy…
Golfing, even though I won’t be playing on the PGA anytime soon, it’s still something I love doing!
What advice would you give to an aspiring pro baseball player currently in college?
Every time you get the chance to play, play as hard as possible and give it your all. There is nothing better than being out there on the diamond with your brothers! Keep chasing your dream and never give up. The path you take may not be the same as most, and it may be a long, bumpy road, but it is so worth it!