PHILIPPI, W.Va. -- 2017 Alderson Broaddus University graduate Randy Dobnak is set to begin his second season in professional baseball within the Minnesota Twins Organization.

"So far it's been great," said Dobnak on this past off-season. "I've been working on becoming stronger and a student of the game. I've gotten to spend a lot of time with family, friends, and my fiancé so that's been awesome."

After graduation Dobnak spent six weeks last summer playing for the Utica Unicorns of the United Shore Professional Baseball League. While there, he compiled a 3-0 record on the mound with a 2.31 ERA and had 29 strikeouts. 

In July, Dobnak was then signed by the Minnesota Twins organization and was assigned to play for the Elizabethton Twins of the Appalachian League. In five games with Elizabethton, Dobnak started three games and finished with a 2-0 record and a 2.39 ERA in 26.1 innings pitched. He also struck out 22 batters and had a WHIP of 0.949.

At the end of the 2017 season, Dobnak was promoted to A-Level Cedar Rapids and made one start. In that game, Dobnak pitched seven innings and allowed six hits, two runs, and struck out one in a no-decision. 

"I was told that I should expect to return to A ball in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, where I finished the season up," said Dobnak. "I'm not taking anything for granted and will compete to the best that I can be and have a shot of getting place elsewhere."

Dobnak flies out to Fort Myers, Florida on Monday February 19th and will join the Twins organization for minor-league spring training.

In his first official off-season in 2017, Dobnak talks about the biggest difference between pitching at AB and pitching professionally.

"The off season for pro ball is a lot longer than the college off season," Dobnak said. "So that means you are going to need to be dedicated and focus on getting yourself better for spring training when the time comes."

During his four-year career at Alderson Broaddus, Dobnak finished with a record of 26-12 and a 2.61 ERA. He is the all-time leader in strikeouts in the Great Midwest Athletic Conference with 284. Dobnak was a four-time member of the G-MAC All-Conference team and made the All-Midwest Region team twice.

"My goal is to ultimately give myself a chance to return the following season to continue to chase my dream of making it to the show one day," said Dobnak. "I hope to remain healthy and to play to the best of my ability all while having the time of my life out there playing this kids game."

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