Randy Dobnak started a playoff game for the Twins last season at Yankee Stadium. With an improved pitching staff, Dobnak entered spring training knowing he’d be fighting for a spot in the rotation. Spring training got cut short, routines change, and Dobnak is still preparing to impact the 2020 Twins. Here are five questions with the Twins pitcher as he prepares for the upcoming season.Dobnak pitched at four different levels in 2019, but his most important stop might have been in 2018 with Cedar Rapids. At that level, he was able to make some adjustments that have impacted his career to this day. He’s coming off his best professional season, so what can he do for an encore?

 

Twins Daily (TD): How has your baseball routine changed since players were sent home from spring training?

 

Randy Dobnak (RD): Having access to a gym has been a little tougher. I’ve been doing more body-weight and band-resisted lifts to stay in shape. I have been able to throw off the mound to a catcher which is nice. I’ve been throwing a pen each week and then kind of simulating a live game where I throw 60 pitches or so in 3 different stints.

 

TD: Last season was a memorable one for the Twins. What memory sticks with you the most?

 

RD: Just being given the opportunity to play with a team like last year's is something special. Winning the division, breaking the home run record, and pitching in the post -season is something I’ll always remember!

 

TD: Expectations are high for the Twins entering 2020. How will a shortened season impact the team?

 

RD: I don’t think the shortened season will affect us much. We are all still going to go out and give it our best effort each day in and day out, and we will control what we can control.

 

TD: What coach has been the biggest influence on your career up to this point?

 

RD: I’ve had a lot of coaches that have helped me along the way but most notable would have to be Justin Willard. He was my pitching coach in Cedar Rapids in 2018 when he introduced me to the sinker that has helped me form into the pitcher I am now.

 

TD: What is your favorite baseball movie of all-time and why?

 

RD: I’m a big fan of Moneyball. I like the true story type of movies, and it’s interesting to see the behind the scenes of how things go. Other than that, the original Sandlot, just because it’s the OG!

 

Here are the other posts in the "Five Questions" series:

- Lewis Thorpe

- Brent Rooker

- Travis Blankenhorn

 

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This is off topic, Cody,

 

But I find it interesting that no one is posting about the discussions MLB and the union are having about getting the season started with all teams playing in empty ballparks in the Phoenix area. Heck, my wife woke me up with the news that the Today show included it in their 7am news.  

 

As for Mr. Dobnak, I believe that when the season does begin he will be one of the Twins starting pitchers.  The one question you didn't ask that many of us would be interested in is something along the lines of "how were you so much more successful than most of us expected?"  But then I am not certain how you would ask that question.