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Our Q&A 

Prep Baseball: What were your expectations about the recruiting process? What were you looking for out of a college program to continue your baseball career at?

Ryan: My expectations for the recruiting process [were] really, honestly, nothing at all. I had no clue that this many colleges were even interested in me at all. I was completely blown away and shocked when August 1st came. I was looking for a program that wanted me. Not just for baseball but as a person as well because that’s where I’m going to be spending the next couple years of my life, and I think it’s really important to be surrounded by people that want to push you and get you better as player and as a man. 

PB: What do you like most about the program you chose, and what were the key factors in making your decision?

R: What I like most about Ole Miss is the coaching atmosphere. I like the way they run things down there and I just love how everyone interacts with each other. The thing that sold me the most was their pitching coach, Coach Mangrum. He was the Cleveland Guardians Minor League pitching coach for 6 years and as soon as I met him on the phone I just immediately knew. As much as he believes in me, I believe in him more to get me to the next level. 

PB: What advice would you give to young baseball players striving to get where you are?

R: Advice I would give is: don’t stop, you’re going to have trials and tribulations not just in baseball but in life. So what’s your why? WHY do you play baseball? Why is it important? 

Just do it and never look back because that’s when you make mistakes. 

PB: Did location or distance from home play a factor in your decision?

R: No. If I want to be a big leaguer one day I have to do what a big leaguer does and acts, even if that means I’m far away from home. I will miss my family though as they are a huge, huge factor and very important in my life.

PB: When did the recruiting process really start to heat up for you? Where did the school you committed to first see you play?

R: The recruiting process started heating up whenever I was in the Area Code Games out in LA. that will forever be a memory that I will never forget. When August 1st came, I was absolutely bombarded with phone calls (I felt like I wanted to throw my phone out the window… lol) I had around 30 phone calls day 1. And about 20 more in the upcoming days. It put a lot of stress on me but ultimately I have to trust the man above in the end. 

I was notified during my visit to Ole Miss that they first saw me pitch at the Future Games, and the following week at the Area Code games.

PB: Was there a particular Prep Baseball tournament or showcase that helped accelerate your recruiting process? If yes, how so?

R: The future Games for sure. The Future Games is just one of those events that you just cannot miss. Once in a lifetime experience and exposure. Never before have I pitched in such a crowd of 400 + college coaches. Truly, truly an amazing event. 

PB: What other schools were on your short list before you made your final decision?

R: My list was Ole Miss, Louisville, Mizzou, Wake Forest, Arkansas. 

PB: Who is the best player you have faced in your state? What about them makes for a tough opponent?

R: In terms of just an absolute grind to pitch against, I would have to say Carson Leuthauser. Carson just had that grit factor and it clearly shows whenever he is in that box. Every time I pitch against him it is an absolute duel and a grind because he just won’t give up. 

PB: If you could steal any tool or quality from another player in the state, what would it be and who would it be from?

R: If I could just have gotten better at hitting the curveball like Max Partney, he excels at this and if you have a curveball anywhere in the zone you know he’s just going to smash it out of the ballpark. 

PB: Who is the next talented young player to keep an eye on out of your high school or travel program?

R: I would have to say my little brother Jon Dobratz from high school. He is a sophomore, he hit a big growth spurt this past year and his off speed is nasty and gross with a bulldog mindset as a pitcher. 

From travel ball I would have to say Zach Partney aka quadzilla. He has the ability to the ball very far and is a really good catcher. I always enjoy having him behind home plate catching me. He has a really good arm and put[s] the ball where it needs to be. 

PB: At what point in your career did you realize you were a college-caliber player and became serious about taking your game to the next level?

R: Ever since I was a baby becoming and MLB player has always been my dream, I’ve been throwing a ball since I can remember and was always good at baseball. But when it started to become serious I would have to say freshman year after I quit basketball. I quit basketball to really hone in on my baseball skills and training. 

PB: What is the most memorable moment in your baseball career to this point?

R: When I was a in LA for the Area Code games. That will forever be a life changing experience as I will never forget that. Pitching in that big of a crowd was unlike anything I’ve ever done before. Just the pure amount of professionalism within the team, I mean like c'mon it felt like a super team. LA will forever be that moment when it became surreal. 

PB: Preview your high school team's season for us. How do you feel your team will be?

R: I am really excited for this upcoming year as I think we have a shot to do something special this year. Our pitching is going to be lights out this year, even though we have to work on our hitting a little bit, I feel like if our pitching and defense are good the offense will offset. I believe in this group and I always have, it just a matter of can we get it done. We will see this year but I think that we can definitely get it done and go on a playoff run. 

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