R.J. Dabovich, RHP
DOB: January 11, 1999
BATS: R  /  THROWS: R
ACQUIRED: Drafted 4th round (#114), 2020
LAST LEVEL: N/A
VOLATILITY: High

Lev
ERA
G
GS
SV
IP
H
R
ER
HR
BB
SO
HBP
WP
WHIP
BB9
SO9
SO/W
2019
Arizona State
NCAA
4.75
16
9
3
53.0
55
33
28
6
26
47
5
4
1.528
4.4
8.0
1.81
2020
Arizona State
NCAA
0.77
9
0
4
11.2
3
2
1
0
9
17
1
3
1.029
6.9
13.1
1.89
NCAA (2 seasons)
NCAA
4.04
25
9
7
64.2
58
35
29
6
35
64
6
7
1.438
4.9
8.9
1.83

See Full Stats Here

GiantFutures Ranks: #8 Relief Pitcher

Performance: Dabovich didn’t get many opportunities to pitch in 2020, like most of his peers, but he dominated in a brief turn in the bullpen at Arizona State before things shut down.  In 11.2 innings, he struck out 17 and walked nine, giving up only three hits for a 0.77 ERA.  That was a .081 batting average allowed.  He started part time in 2019 at Arizona State, posting a 4.75 ERA with 55 hits allowed in 53.0 innings, so he definitely showed a big change in 2020, at least in a brief period.

Strengths and Weaknesses: Dabovich has a very intriguing arm.  He was throwing mid-90s in college, and during the offseason, his fastball was up in the 98-100 range with a high spin rate.  He pairs it with three off-speed pitches, all above average but not elite yet.  Whether or not he’ll use all of them going forward will be a big part of his development.

That said, as with many hard throwers, Dabovich has command issues.  Even in his brief college appearance, he had a 6.9 BB/9IP rate, which was up from his 2018 college season.  It was evened out by his much improved strikeout rate and not allowing hits, but it will need to improve for him going forward.

2021 Outlook: Dabovich did not get to pitch professionally in 2020, so it’s most likely he’ll start the season in Low-A San Jose.  But as a reliever, if he lives up to expectations, he could be on the midseason promotion list and get up to Eugene to prove himself in the Northwest.

Future Profile: There are thoughts that Dabovich could be converted back to starter to see how he does, considering his pitch selection, but he’s looking more like a hard-throwing reliever, where he can get to his top velocities more consistently.  While he doesn’t have the top velocity that some of his teammates do, and yet he does have command issues, his larger pitch assortment to work with could give him the profile of a late-inning reliever who can be used regularly.