Hunter Dobbins: A secret weapon in Red Sox system
Hunter Dobbins hasn’t had a normal offseason since his freshman year at Texas Tech. In 2020, he only got to pitch in six games due to the COVID shortened season. The following offseason was limited due to the pandemic. Dobbins then injured his UCL in a preseason scrimmage in 2021 and missed that season due to having Tommy John surgery. Finally, three years later, a normal and healthy winter preparation for the season has taken place.
The Red Sox used their eighth-round pick in 2021 on Dobbins. The eighth-round selection shows that the Red Sox saw something they liked in such a small sample size while at Texas Tech. His sophomore year in 2020 season looked the most promising, as he carried a 1.35 ERA in 20 innings pitched before COVID cancelled the season. He also struck out more guys than he gave up hits and had a 11.25 K/9.
SoxProspects has this written on Dobbins:
Ceiling of an up-and-down reliever. Has shown intriguing fastball/curveball combination after returning from surgery, including holding most of his Fall 2020 velocity increase. Changeup lags behind and combined with delivery, likely future is in bullpen. Will continue working as a starter and continued increase in stuff could change projection.
There is something to be said about not having a normal and injured offseason any year, let alone since 2019. First looks back from surgery in Salem last season looked pretty good. His fastball was touching 97 MPH and curveball was missing bats with a huge break. Dobbins is currently projected to start the 2023 season in Greenville’s rotation as he looks to round back into form.
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