Thread: Article: Brian Dozier Learned from 2012, Looks Forward to 2013

Originally Posted by ashburyjohn

My recollection isn't quite the same, that he had his detractors where it came to range, versus the very best of his peers of course. But he was the embodiment of the Twins Way to make sure to make 99% of the routine plays and let the other guys worry about the spectacular plays. Florimon seems to be the opposite of that, I'm not sure where Dozier comes on that spectrum.

When I alluded to "average" CF or SS, I meant starters. Among the full list of major league SS, Gagne definitely was above average.

Our recollection is actually very similar, it's just that I was making a slightly different point. Gagne's defensive rep varied somewhat, but basically I remember it like this: Average range that grew, either in practice or just by reputation, to above average. Excellent hands and positional awareness, and one of the best shortstop arms in either league.

While admittedly limited as a stat, Gagne's Range Factor per 9 innings history exactly mirrors the perceived mid-career increase to significantly above league-average range, for what it's worth. Fielding runs above average shows his defense was about 7 or 8 runs better per season than the rest of the league on average. And despite his hacktastic approach at the plate, he managed about 2.5 to 3 wins above replacement per season throughout his prime.

My point was that because Gagne played in the era of Ripken, Ozzie, and Barry Larkin, "above average" looked fairly pedestrian by comparision.

To lend a little more historical context, there are only 12 modern-era shortstops elected by the BBWA to the Hall of Fame. That's almost exactly one per decade. Gagne played almost his entire career with 3 of those 12 guys in the league and in their primes. It set the shortstop bar for Gagne's era ridiculously high, and made it harder to appreciate how good he was despite being nowhere near the players they were.

Interesting note on the physical similarity. Haven't seen Dozier in person, but my impression was that he is stockier than the whippet-lean Gagne. May have something to do with today's uniforms. Gagne was probably a better athlete with just a bit more power and speed, plus a much better arm. But I'm hoping Dozier regains his minor-league batting form and end up with the better eye at the plate, and that would go a long way toward closing the gap in their values.

Originally Posted by FrodaddyG

Oh no, this could revive the "Berrios as Pedro Martinez 2.0" talk.

Look, I don't want to get anybody excited here, because I still have a lot to prove, and because Pedro Martinez was a great pitcher. But I've recently thrown a baseball, and Pedro Martinez has also thrown baseballs. Just sayin'.


Kidding, I actually hope the Dozier to Gagne comp becomes a thing.

Originally Posted by 70charger

Kidding, I actually hope the Dozier to Gagne comp becomes a thing.

Yep. If some scout says of a shortstop prospect, "his ceiling is Greg Gagne," probably anyone would say "sign him!"

As for the height/weight comp, I don't know at what point in a career b-r.com lists the measurements for, and if it was late in Gagne's career (and early in Dozier's perforce) then since Brian already is 5 pounds higher the physical comp may not hold up. Having a relative beanpole like the Florimonster on the roster probably warps my thinking.

Gagne is one of my all-time favorite Twins. He developed into a very solid ballplayer, but one that never was able to maximize his tools. I don't see Dozier as being as gifted athletically as Gags, but it is possible he could be as good a ballplayer.

mlbtraderumors.com says that the Twins are interested in Reid Brignac. From what I've seen, he is a very good fielder with a poor bat. He did have one good year with the Rays when he hit above .250 (.692 OPS in 2010). Worth a shot?

Originally Posted by stringer bell

mlbtraderumors.com says that the Twins are interested in Reid Brignac. From what I've seen, he is a very good fielder with a poor bat. He did have one good year with the Rays when he hit above .250 (.692 OPS in 2010). Worth a shot?

Sounds like our kind of guy.

Brignac would actually be pretty intriguing. Was a BA Top 100 prospect for four straight years and at one point was projected to have a pretty good bat. He's been really, really awful the past couple years and it seems fairly safe to write him off as a bust, but he's still only 27. I'd certainly take his upside over Florimon's.

Originally Posted by Nick Nelson

Brignac would actually be pretty intriguing. Was a BA Top 100 prospect for four straight years and at one point was projected to have a pretty good bat. He's been really, really awful the past couple years and it seems fairly safe to write him off as a bust, but he's still only 27. I'd certainly take his upside over Florimon's.

Right. I wonder what happened with him.

Originally Posted by PseudoSABR

Right. I wonder what happened with him.

All the scouting reports I found seem to omit this most important piece of information, but is there any word on whether he can "really get after it out there" and /or "pick it real good"?

Is he athletic enough?

Originally Posted by FrodaddyG

All the scouting reports I found seem to omit this most important piece of information, but is there any word on whether he can "really get after it out there" and /or "pick it real good"?

As long as he shows he wants to play, and handles himself good out there, you'd like to give him a month and see what happens.