In the 2021 MLB Draft, the Boston Red Sox waited until the seventh round to select a college arm. In the eighth round, they continued to add pitching with the selection of Hunter Dobbins. The Texas native missed all of 2021 but still caught the Red Sox’s eye. While his college career was cut short, Dobbins brings intriguing stuff to the Red Sox system.
Before undergoing Tommy John Surgery in 2021, Dobbins was coming off of his best season with the Red Raiders. The Texas native appeared in six games and posted a 1.35 ERA in 2020. Although he had to adjust his game as he played various roles for Texas Tech, it led him to the Red Sox, which Dobbins grew up watching.
“My dad has been a diehard Red Sox fan since he was little.” “He’s pushed me a lot over the years, and seeing me get called by the Red Sox was the icing on the cake for him. If the Red Sox were playing on TV, they were on in our household.”
Over the past year, Boston’s interest in Dobbins stayed consistent. In 46.1 innings of work at Texas Tech, he struck out 49 batters. The 21-year-old only allowed three earned runs in 2020 and showed excellent control. When Dobbins got the call from Boston, it came as no surprise.
“I had a pretty good feeling just because of well they stayed in contact.” “They checked in on me to see how my arm was doing. It felt like a good fit during the whole process, so I felt confident going into.”
#RedSox have drafted RHP Hunter Dobbins (.@GTBaseball) with their 8th round pick.
Two weeks before the ‘21 season, he injured his elbow and had to have Tommy John surgery.
Touched 98 MPH before the injury and his rehab has gone great so far.#DirtyWater pic.twitter.com/4pMSiSiZiF
— Tyler Milliken ⚾️ (@tylermilliken_) July 12, 2021
What Texas Tech meant to Hunter Dobbins
While the talented righthander now has the opportunity to live out his dream, his time as a Red Raider was also an unforgettable experience.
“It was a dream come true playing for Texas Tech.,” “Growing up in College Station, my dad was a big fan of A&M, but Every since the Michael Crabtree catch against UT, I was a big Texas Tech fan. I enjoyed every second of it, and it’s where I plan on calling home once everything is said and done.”
In his college career, Dobbins pitched out of the bullpen and rotation. Of his 20 appearances, five came as a starter. Regardless of the role he’s been asked to play, Dobbins has had success.
“Coming out of the bullpen, you know that you have two maybe three innings and don’t have to conserve energy as long.” “I liked starting a little more because it’s a set routine. Going in, you know what day you’re pitching and that you need to get six or seven innings. It’s a better set routine and plan, and it’s easier to roll into.”
With the 2021 draft in the books, Texas Tech closed out the draft with nine selections, including Dobbins. It was the second-highest total in the country and third-most in school history. That is a promising sign for Red Sox fans, as Dobbins comes from a school that has put their players in a position to succeed. While Dobbins’s professional career is just getting started, he is a prospect to watch.
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Main Image Credit: From the Daily Toreador
