Adversity is woven into the fabric of baseball. Unlike professional basketball or football, where top draft picks often make an immediate impact, Major League Baseball requires a longer road. Even after being drafted, most players spend years battling through the minor leagues, chasing the dream of reaching the big stage.
For Astros pitcher Trey Dombroski, his adversity came in the 2024 season.
The 2022 4th round pick experienced some quick success following the draft. In his first full season in the Astros system, the left-hander struck out 148 batters in 119 innings while posting a 3.71 ERA for Single-A Fayetteville.
In 2024, Dombroski started the season in High-A Asheville, and it was a tough go of things for him. In 71 innings there, he allowed 88 hits and 45 earned runs, good for a 5.70 ERA. The struggles continued in Corpus Christi where he had a 6.41 ERA in 26.2 innings in Double-A.
“Asheville kind of shaped me into the pitcher I am now, just because it’s definitely tough elements,” Dombroski said. “You’re at elevation, and the ball doesn’t move as much—your stuff isn’t as good—but it teaches you how to become a complete pitcher.
“I really learned that I have to execute and just trust my stuff as much as I can. So learning how to execute better and understanding where I needed to throw certain pitches really helped me become a better pitcher last year.”
Dombroski emerged as a strong prospect out of college, gaining significant attention after a dominant showing in the Cape Cod League, where he posted a 0.85 ERA with just 2 walks and 45 strikeouts over 31.2 innings. During his junior year at Monmouth University, he continued to impress, racking up 120 strikeouts across 95 innings. Leading up to the draft, he was ranked as the No. 111 prospect, with his primary concern being a lack of top-end velocity. However, this past offseason, Dombroski took part in a velocity training program with the Astros, aiming to address that very issue.
“It was great—pushed my limits,” Dombroski said. “That’s one thing I think is good is to push your limits and find out a lot about yourself. I know I put a lot of effort and sacrifice into that velocity program, and made the most of it.
“We had such a good group down there and just the guys pushing each other was so fun. You got all the guys around you and all the guys are there for the same goal—we all want to make it to the big leagues, right? And if that’s what it takes to get there, then I’m all for it.”
The velocity program appears to be paying off for Dombroski, who has seen both an uptick in velocity and improved on-field performance. Through 12 outings with the Hooks this season, he owns a 3.12 ERA with 50 strikeouts over 49 innings—a significant step forward from his results in Double-A last year.
“I think it goes back to the execution piece and just really knowing who I am as a pitcher,” Dombroski said of his improvements this year. “I’m not a sexy pitcher—I’m not going out there and hitting 100 [mph] on scoreboard. That’s just not me. I’m the guy who has to rely on his command and his stuff, and I’ve really embraced that this year.”
While Dombroski’s numbers in Corpus Christi this year have shown improvement, they don’t tell the full story. In fact, he’s often pitched better than the stats suggest, with a few rough late-inning outings inflating his ERA, which really hurt him last year. He’s had several starts where he cruised through four or five scoreless innings before running into trouble in the next frame—an area he continues to work on as he develops.
“That was the toughest part about last year—it always felt like there was one inning where they’d score four or five runs, and I’d just wish I could have that inning back,” Dombroski said. “This year, if a guy gets a hit, I’m going to pitches I know will give me a better chance at success.
“With the help of the catcher… They’ve done such a good job back there—knowing when I want to go to the cutter or when it’s time for the curveball. Just having a solid game plan before the game.”
Dombroski was part of the same draft class as Jacob Melton and AJ Blubaugh and has moved through the system alongside pitchers like Colton Gordon and Ryan Gusto. Watching those familiar faces make meaningful contributions at higher levels has been extra motivation for him, reinforcing that he’s on the right path.
“It’s so cool seeing that because when you get into the org, you don’t really know anyone and you meet guys along the way and those are some of the guys I met first,” Dombroski said on some of the debuts this year. “So it’s really cool because you turn on Space City Network and you’re watching them in the big leagues.
“It definitely reinforces the work that we put in. It’s the competitiveness between all of us and brings out a good side. When you’re around good people, you’re going to turn into a good person and that’s really what we’ve embraced as a team.”
Trey Dombroski’s journey through adversity highlights the true nature of baseball’s grind—where talent alone isn’t enough, and perseverance and continuous learning are just as vital. His story serves as a reminder that success in baseball often comes not in a straight line, but through embracing challenges and growing stronger with each setback. As he continues to develop, Dombroski’s commitment and determination keep him on a promising path toward achieving his major league dreams.
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