INDIANAPOLIS – Welcome to The Show.
 
Former Alderson Broaddus University standout Randy Dobnak made history as the first Great Midwest Athletic Conference alum to earn his spot on a 25-man Major League Baseball roster.
 
In an official transaction announced on Thursday afternoon, Dobnak had his contract selected and was called up to the Minnesota Twins from the Rochester Red Wings, the organization’s Triple-A affiliate.
 
Dobnak appeared in seven games (5 starts) for the Red Wings this season, going 4-1 with a 2.00 ERA (36.0 IP, 8 ER), 14 walks, 27 strikeouts and a .175 opponent batting average.
 
The 24-year-old appeared at three levels in the Twins minor league system this season, combining to go 11-3 with a 2.02 ERA (125.0 IP, 28 ER), 24 walks, 102 strikeouts and a .214 opponent batting average in 22 games (19 starts) between Rochester, Double-A Pensacola and Single-A Ft. Myers.
 
The 6-foot-1, 230-pound right-hander was signed as an undrafted free agent in July of 2017 out of Division II Alderson Broaddus University in Philippi, West Virginia. He will be in uniform tonight vs. the Cleveland Indians, looking to make his major league debut.
 
Prior to Dobnak’s ascension, Cedarville’s RHP David Ledbetter was the closest to the bigs, climbing the ladder to Triple A Round Rock for the Texas Rangers, before announcing his retirement in 2018. Kentucky Wesleyan RHP Matt Pobereyko also had a 1-game cup of coffee in Triple-A Las Vegas with the New York Mets in 2018. 
 
Other notable former Division II standouts currently in the MLB include San Francisco Giants outfielder Kevin Pillar, Houston Astros designated hitter/outfielder J.D. Martinez and Washington Nationals catcher Yan Gomes.
 
Several others from Great Midwest institutions are competing in farm systems, including Ohio Dominican’s Brad Wilson (Toronto Blue Jays), Lake Erie’s Luke Raley (Minnesota Twins) and Hillsdale’s Jake Hoover (Texas Rangers).