Long before Randy Dobnak became a shooting star in a lost galaxy that is the Kansas City Royals 2026 campaign, he was scrolling through available rides on his local Uber app.
It was a source of income. And for Dobnak, a chance to nurture a lifelong dream that hadn’t begun to bear fruit.
“I’d drive around Pittsburgh for a little bit just to see how it was,” Dobnak said. “Make some extra money because we didn’t make much at all in the minor leagues.”
At the time, the world hadn’t heard of Randy Dobnak. He was an undrafted free agent and pitching in independent ball. Meanwhile, his highlights lived on YouTube and his day job was working an eight-hour shift at a local tax store — and eventually a warehouse company.
The daily routine was simple: clock in, workout, and eat dinner at 10:00 p.m. And three times a week, Dobnak would hop in his Toyota Camry to drive others around.
“We weren’t rich by any means,” Dobnak said. “I had to pay for my own stuff.”
Dobnak was just trying to make an honest living. He starred at Alderson Broaddus University (from 2014-17) in Philippi, West Virginia. The small locale — with a population of 2,870 people — produced three Major League Baseball players.
The big leagues were far off the horizon. Dobnak had interest from a few teams, but his name wasn’t called in the 2017 MLB Draft.
“I always joke that I was a 41st-rounder.” Dobnak said.
So it made sense to become an Uber driver. Dobnak figured if he was to chase his dreams, he needed the funds to do it.
He also needed a team to believe in him. After a short stint pitching with the Utica Unicorns in the United Shore League, he got a phone call that would change his life.
The Minnesota Twins inquired about signing him. They found him on YouTube — thanks in part to his father posting highlight clips — and assigned him to rookie ball in Elizabethton, Tennessee.
Dobnak was in the game. And after nearly a decade, he is still proving his worth as one of baseball’s most unlikely triumph stories.
“I was always thankful to have a job somewhere to play baseball,” Dobnak said.
An unexpected rise
Dobnak didn’t take long climbing the minor-league ranks. He made an uncharacteristic leap from Single-A to the big leagues in under two seasons.
In 2019, Dobnak posted a 2.04 ERA in 24 appearances across three minor-league levels. He also had luck on his side. The Twins needed pitching help and gave Dobnak a handful of starts down the stretch.
Dobnak allowed nine runs (five earned) in his debut season with the Twins. He also pitched well enough to start Game 2 of the American League Divisional Series (ALDS) against the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium.
And to top it off, Dobnak got married before pitching in the biggest game of his life.
“You know, over the years, I kind of learned there’s a lot more to it than being really good at baseball,” Dobnak said. “You can be really good at baseball and not get called up. You can be average and get called up. It just depends on timing and opportunities.”
Dobnak still reflects on his unlikely ascension. His first professional signing bonus check was $500, and it went to paying off his student loans.
And somehow, his biggest break was pitching in a postseason game. At the time, it was a story worthy of a full-length, feature film.
“I kind of skyrocketed through the system,” Dobnak said.
Then, Dobnak was hit with a dose of reality. The Twins only needed him for 24 more appearances (16 starts) across the 2020–21 campaigns.
The team changed personnel and filled other needs. Dobnak was back in the minors — pitching with Triple-A St. Paul — for the next three seasons. He performed well but couldn’t crack the Twins starting rotation.
However, the swift change never wavered his mentality.
“I knew I always had the confidence to be a big-league pitcher,” Dobnak said. “But, I think the one thing that was always holding me back was an opportunity.”
Dobnak wound up leaving Minnesota in 2025. He bounced around the Detroit Tigers and Seattle Mariners organizations. And there weren’t many chances until the Royals acquired him from the Mariners in June.
The Royals were cratered with injuries. KC had lost Cole Ragans, Ryan Bergert, Stephen Kolek and Luinder Avila among others. The club also traded left-hander Kris Bubic to the Los Angeles Dodgers at the trade deadline.
Dobnak had another path to the big leagues. And this time, he wasn’t going to relinquish his chance.
“The goal this year was to pitch well enough and maybe get a shot somewhere,’ Dobnak said. “And if not the states, maybe overseas. So to be in a rotation like this, wasn’t even a thought, I guess.”
A Royal combination
Dobnak didn’t waste time in Kansas City. He owns a 2.00 ERA in seven games (five starts) while allowing eight runs in 36 innings. He also won Royals pitcher of the month for July.
In his five starts, Dobnak has pitched at least five innings. He pitches to contact and relies on his defense to make plays. And his tenacity has made a quick first impression on his teammates.
“He’s just a competitor,” Royals outfielder Isaac Collins said. “He’s going up there and throwing his stuff out there and then, just getting through the innings. Doing everything he can just to get us to the bullpen.”
The Royals are 3-2 in his starts. And last month, Dobnak won his first game since 2021 — ironically against the Twins. The five-year gap meant a lot to him as he shared the moment with his teammates.
“I mean, he doesn’t beat himself,” Royals manager Matt Quatraro said. “That’s the key to Randy. He’s going to come at you, and he’s going to trust his stuff. … He’s going to challenge guys and let the defense play. But he gives you a lot of confidence because you feel like he knows who he is and what he has to do.”
The Royals penciled Dobnak into the starting rotation. He has a chance to solidify his role heading into the 2027 campaign down the stretch.
At the current moment, Dobnak has a chance to pitch alongside Michael Wacha, Seth Lugo, Noah Cameron and Daniel Lynch IV.
Yet, he isn’t looking too far ahead.
“It’s my 27th year playing baseball,” Dobnak said. “I started when I was four. It’s pretty much all I’ve known my whole life. … But, I’m always kind of focused on the now. So I don’t really look too far ahead. I just kind of enjoy the moment because you never know how long it’s going to be.”
Dobnak has become a beloved pitcher within the fan base. And his community impact has continued to grow. He has given back to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
There are more charitable efforts in the works. Dobnak hopes to continue inspiring others with his story of perseverance as his career continues.
Dobnak is expected to pitch this weekend against the Los Angeles Angels. And when he steps on the mound again, it will be another chance to add the next chapter in his unlikely baseball story.
“It’s kind of crazy to look back at that perspective of things,” Dobnak said. “I’m happy to have a job playing baseball.”