Drafted in the 3rd round (95th overall) by the Boston Red Sox in 2004 (signed for $400,000).
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Dobies boosted his draft stock with a solid summer in the Valley League. The Pennsylvania native went 4-1, 2.25 with 92 strikeouts in 56 innings as he developed a cutter that became an effective pitch. He also experimented with different grips for his changeup, and toward the end of the summer it had improved enough that he was using it in key situations. He became the Friday starter for a resurgent Virginia program this season and had a 6-2, 3.24 record with 97 strikeouts and 28 walks in 94 innings. He is a strong competitor on the mound with good arm action from a mid-three-quarters slot and solid delivery. He works off his change, which makes his 85-88 mph fastball look a lot faster, and he works in his 78-79 mph cutter as an occasional out pitch.
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Dobies and Tommy Hottovy will be compared to each other as they rise through the Red Sox system together. Boston took Dobies in the third round last June, just ahead of Hottovy, and signed him for $400,000. Both were unhittable while being kept on tight pitch counts at short-season Lowell in their pro debuts, and they figure to be teammates again in 2005. Their styles on the mound are similar as well. Dobies throws a tick harder than Hottovy at 87-89 mph, getting good cutting movement on his fastball, and his changeup is slightly more consistent. While Hottovy's curveball is better than Dobies' slider, the slider is effective, as is Dobies' curve. His delivery and arm action are so consistent that he can throw strikes at will. As with Hottovy, many clubs projected Dobies as a reliever but Boston has no plans to move him out of the rotation.
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