Boston Red Sox prospect Hunter Dobbins talks Triple-A, Polar Park, offseason goals, and more
The Boston Red Sox have more pitching prospects than some would lead you to believe. Luis Perales is the stud ace who is out for the foreseeable future with Tommy John. After him, you can look into pitchers like Yordanny Monegro, Wikelman Gonzalez, Juan Valera, Elmer Rodriguez, Jedixson Paez, and more.
However, there's someone further up who's close to helping at the Major League level as soon as early next year.
Hunter Dobbins was great in 2023, but he's been otherworldly in 2024. The right-handed pitcher posted a 3.17 ERA, .232 BAA, and 1.23 WHIP in 21 starts for Double-A Portland. He struck out 98 batters compared to 39 walks in 105 innings before his promotion to Worcester.
Dobbins made it to Triple-A near the end of August. He made four starts, allowing just six runs in 20 2/3 innings (2.61 ERA) while striking out 22 batters compared to nine walks.
Dobbins has a nasty pitch mix and a fastball that hits the upper 90s regularly. He is someone Red Sox fans should have on their radar.
We chatted with Pidgeotto following his final Triple-A start of the year to discuss his promotion, performance, Polar Park, and more.
Q: Thoughts on the final start of your season?
"I felt good. I'm finally fully adjusting to the strike zone here, learning as I go how to attack the Triple-A hitters because there are a lot of guys that have show time here. They have high-level approaches, so I'm learning to play the chess game. Just feel like I'm settling in and trusting my stuff. I'm having consistent movements and approaches."
Q: Thoughts on the ABS (automatic balls and strikes) system?
"I like it. The umpires are tighter because they know if the hitter or catcher disagrees, they can challenge. You know what you're getting every time you go out there. It's not hoping that the umpire has a good day. They're going to be consistent."
Q: You got promoted a few weeks ago. How did that go down?
"I knew something was coming up to that point. I didn't know when it was going to be, though. I threw on Tuesday and got called into the office on Wednesday. They asked me how I was feeling body-wise. After I told them I was good, they gave me the news to pack up my stuff and get out of there."
Q: Who was the first person you called, and what was their reaction?
"My wife, then I called my dad. My wife was extremely happy and said it was about time. You have to wait for the opportunity to open up. My dad was just happy, too."
Q: What's been the biggest adjustment for you in Triple-A?
"Getting guys to chase in the strike zone. In Double-A, you can get a hitter in swing mode and get them to chase the big breaking ball out of the zone. Here, these guys know what pitch they hit well and what they're not even going to attempt at.
If you want to get that swing-and-miss strikeout, you have to challenge them in the strike zone with your best stuff. So, just getting used to that."
Q: Who's been the biggest help for you in the Worcester locker room?
"Honestly, the culmination of all the guys. There are veteran guys who have been in Triple-A, and some have been in the show. If they see something like hey, at this level, we need to do this or do that. They've all chipped in and helped me out."
Q: Thoughts on Polar Park?
"Love it. It's a great stadium. I don't think there's been a bad fan turnout since I've been there. It's a great atmosphere, and it's been fun."
Q: What's been the difference in atmosphere between Double-A and Triple-A?
[Coaches walking by laughing] "The Triple-A coaching staff."
Dobbins: "On the player's side, the amount of knowledge and experience you're around sticks out. You try to sit back and soak it up. From the overall gameday experience, there are fans at every single game. They're all loving it because they know anyone on the field could be in the big leagues tomorrow. All the fans are glued in.
Portland had great fans, a lot of fun, and some good showings. But the consistency at this level is great."
Q: Has there been a crowd that stood out to you the most?
"I would say my first start in Triple-A. It was a Friday night in Worcester. I'm pretty sure it was close to sold out. The crowd was always into it, and I remember trying to get used to the pitch com because it was the first time I used it. The fans were so loud I had to keep turning it up to hear it.
And with it being my first start, it made it even better."
Q: Thoughts on your 2024 season?
"I'm extremely happy with it. There are always things you can look back at and say I wish I would've done that better. I wish I had trusted my stuff a little more earlier in the season.
You're always going to try to work on stuff, especially being in Double-A and those lower levels. If you're not trying stuff, you're not getting better.
But, I think my last probably eight or nine starts, I finally fully bought in of, you know what, I have good stuff, and I know where I'm throwing it, so I'm going to attack these hitters. I'm looking forward to taking that mentality into next year and building off of this."
Q: Offseason goals?
"Get a little bigger. I'm at like 205, 206 [lbs] right now. I want to get to like 210, 215. Continue to hone in on the consistency of the shapes of my pitches. This will be the first offseason I've gone in with the same pitch arsenal that I will show up to Spring Training with. That's going to give me a lot of time to focus on those and make them as good as I can.
And then make sure I show up healthy and ready to go."
Q: What's your favorite jersey in the Red Sox minor league system?
"I'm a little partial to this one because I think I wore it every single start of the year in Portland. It's the red Portland jersey with the red Sea Dog hat. That was kind of my staple.
When I left Portland, I jokingly told [David] Sandlin that the Sea Dog hat was his now and to continue it. They broke it out for his last start last week, and I think he had a good one. So he was like, maybe there's something to this hat."
Follow Hunter on Twitter @Hunter_Noll.
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