PENSACOLA, Fla. – In minor league baseball, you might have to wear outlandish uniforms with cats or dogs, Star Wars characters or superheroes emblazoned on the front. In his debut for the Rochester Red Wings, the team changed its name to the Hustlers as a throwback to 1918.
 
Wacky jerseys, long bus rides and road trips aside, it’s hard to measure to the grind, grit and determination, needed to climb the ladder of an organizational ladder as a professional baseball player.
 
For former Alderson Broaddus right-handed pitcher Randy Dobnak, he has moved up three rungs of the affiliate system hoping to eventually get the call for the Minnesota Twins.  
 
Now 24 years old and in his third year as a pro, Dobnak has excelled at every level from Elizabethton (rookie) to Cedar Rapids (Class A) to Fort Myers (Class A Advanced) and Pensacola (Double A).
 
He recently received a brief cup of coffee for Triple A Rochester before being shuttled back to Pensacola as part of a numbers game in the rotation.
 
In over 229 innings pitched, he has an 18-6 win-loss record, a 2.67 ERA and 164 strikeouts. Dobnak more than held his own at Triple A in four appearances while holding hitters to a .194 average.
 
“It’s incredible to think about of how well I’ve performed,” said Dobnak. “I’ve impressed myself, which doesn’t happen often. It’s surreal and I’m really looking forward to the second half of this season. I know all the guys back at AB are always hitting me up and a few guys from Kentucky Wesleyan (former standouts Andrew Kirkland and Adam Brown). It’s great to see everyone behind me.”
 
As neither a first-round draft selection or a signing bonus baby going over slot, Dobnak has defied significant odds. He was an undrafted free agent after dominating the Great Midwest Athletic Conference in his signature 00 jersey and clear spectacles.
 
Dobnak is one of four current players in the minor leagues with Great Midwest ties, joining Ohio Dominican’s Brad Wilson (Dunedin Blue Jays) and Luke Raley (Rochester Red Wings). He was a brief teammate of Raley’s as the former Lake Erie star recovers from ankle surgery. Hillsdale's Jake Hoover, recently selected by the Texas Rangers, will most likely make his professional debut this week. 
 
The conference recently caught up with the South Park, Pa., native after his start against the Tennessee Smokies to reflect back on the amazing journey to date.
 
Ben Schlesselman (Great Midwest): Briefly describe your 2019 season to date.
Randy Dobnak: I started the year in Fort Myers since I was at Low A (Cedar Rapids) all year last season. There was about a 95% chance to start out (in Fort Myers) for at least the first half of the season and maybe they would keep me there or bring me up depending on how I did. After four starts for Fort Myers, I gave up one run and threw lots of strikes. I was really surprised to be promoted and get up here in AA Pensacola and get to be around some of the guys that I’ve heard about. I got a call one Saturday morning and my manager Ramon (Borrego) said you’re going up to Rochester for one start. I was going up and was around no one I had ever played with. I knew one guy in the clubhouse and asked him about who do I talk to, but after the first day, I got to know everybody. I threw two innings in my AAA debut and got rained out. It’s been insane this year. If you had told me that I would be in AAA two years ago, I would have told you that you were crazy. Luke Raley approached me and said, You went to AB? I talked to him a little bit here and there. He had surgery on his ankle and made one road trip once.
 
Ben: As a pitcher, how hard is it to make adjustments at each level of an affiliate?
Randy: In AA, hitters are much more aggressive. In Hi A, guys will watch more pitches. When we go over the pregame scouting report, you look at the where the holes are. The catchers have a little wristband on with notes to remind them. Pounding those spots consistently in the strike zone helps you get ahead. In college, you can get away with throwing a pitch down the middle. In AA, it will come off the bat about 120 mph.
 
Ben: Is your family able to attend many games, home or away?
Randy: Last year, my dad (Rick) got a job out in Iowa. He came to some games since he was out that way. My fiance came out for a week to see me in Kentucky. Being so far away kind of sucks. For some guys it can be kind of a lonely feeling, but I know my family is just a phone call away and they are my support system. I feel like I take it for granted because this is the only opportunity that I will have to do this. I was hoping to stay in Rochester for the next series because we would be going to Columbus and I know a lot of people in Ohio.
 
Ben: How much fun is it to be part of a successful Minnesota Twins organization (that is running away with the AL Central division)?
Randy: I think it makes it really exciting, especially around the trade deadline. Throughout the org, the guys are always paying attention to it. In AAA, guys are being called up and being sent down. In one week, there was like four guys called up. If you’re not on the 40-man roster, they will need to DFA (designate for assignment) someone else in the organization to make room for you.
 
Ben: Favorite jerseys you’ve been able to wear in the minor leagues
Randy: in Pensacola we have a white one, blue one, green one and a pink one. I like the pink one the most, I think. We’re supposed to wear pink every home Sunday game. Grown men wear pink.
 
Ben: Ugliest promo jersey you’ve ever seen.
Randy: We have a jersey in Rochester with a Rochester Plate – it’s just a bunch of food slopped on a plate. They wear it for every Thursday home game – a really bright yellow. But I’ve also worn a bow tie jersey for Father’s Day. Paw Patrol is a big one too.
 
Ben: Toughest batter you’ve faced at any level.
Randy: This year, I faced Didi Gregorius, Matt Kemp and Vladdy Jr. (Vladimir Guerrero) in Hi A (Dunedin). Vladdy Jr. has the quickest hands I’ve ever seen. He got a hit off me and I have no idea how it didn’t break his bat. Two weeks later he’s in the big leagues hitting nukes. I got him out once, but it was a 150 mph exit velocity fly ball.
 
Ben: Have you been star struck by anyone you’ve pitched against?
Randy: I wasn’t really star struck – but who would ever think I would be facing Tim Tebow and Rajai Davis, a guy with over 1,000 hits. Tebow is massive by the way - an absolute house. The coolest person I’ve faced.
 
Ben: What has been your most memorable fan interaction.
Randy: Last year, in Cedar Rapids I was throwing a pregame bullpen. All the kids were chirping at me with no manners. I look up and see a kid who was disabled and keeping to himself. I moved some kids out of the way and tossed him a ball. He had a big smile on his face.
 
Ben: Favorite pregame meal and ballpark food.
Randy: At Pittsburgh Pirate games I really liked pulled pork and nachos. Last year it was Chipotle or orange chicken from Panda Express. This year, I eat whatever they have pregame.
 
Ben: Have you seen yourself on a baseball card yet?
Randy: Last year I was on a baseball card in Cedar Rapids. They just came up with a set in AA. It’s humbling to think about that kids will come up and ask me for their autograph. A lot of collectors come up and get us by the clubhouse. Seeing the kids smile and get excited is pretty special.
 
Ben: Favorite MLB team and player you idolized growing up. Do you model your form after anyone?
Randy: I grew up going to Pirates games. Went to 30-40 games per summer and that’s where all my money went to. Growing up, I really liked watching Andrew McCutchen play. I didn’t really model any pitching motions after anyone - my pitching motion is unique, funky and gets the job done. I’ll take it.
 
Ben: Our conference has grown significantly since you graduated. What advice you would give to someone in our league looking to be a minor league player?
Randy: Stay within yourself. Don’t be something that you’re not. You don’t have to throw 99 mph to be drafted or get signed. Be true to yourself and build on your strengths and that’s what gets you seen and promoted.