Hunter Dobbins impresses in AA debut
Hunter Dobbins impresses in AA debut
After being promoted from the High-A Greenville Drive, starting pitcher Hunter Dobbins made his AA debut for the Portland Sea Dogs. It’s been a long road for the right-hander to even get to this point, but he gave the Sea Dogs formidable innings in his first appearance.
In 5 innings pitched Dobbins recorded 5 strikeouts while only allowing 1 earned run from 3 hits and 3 walks. Recording 94 pitches in the contest, he had to work around some traffic in the 1st inning and 2 singles to begin the 4th inning. Thanks to some early offense, it was enough for the starting pitcher to earn his first AA win.
With a fastball that topped out at 96 mph, he looked impressive. He was also able to induce two of his strikeouts from his slider, which will vary in velocity in the high 80s. It’s quality velocity from Dobbins, as this is his first full season back from Tommy John Surgery.
In 2020 during an intrasquad matchup, he injured his UCL which ultimately required the surgery. In 2021 he was selected by the Red Sox in the 8th round due to his draft stock being dampened by his injury. Making his professional debut late last season after completing his rehab, he was not the same version of himself that he’s showing this year.
He began this season in extended spring training, though when he joined the Drive, he worked 41 innings in just 7 starts. That nearly comes out to 6 innings per start which for today’s standards is considered working deep enough into games. A 9.66 K/9 paired with a 50% groundball rate, he does well inducing soft contact. The number back that up as well, as he has only been bit by the long ball once along with just 6 doubles.
His performance last night dropped his overall ERA to 2.54. The second starting pitcher this week to make his AA debut, he fared better than Isaac Coffey. Amidst the Sea Dogs current lack of consistent starting pitching, Dobbins will look to continue his success and provide some stability to the rotation.
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