Article: The Real Brian Dozier?

[bird]

It's also interesting that you describe the Twins as having very little clue on optimizing talent and then sing the praises at the same time. Did the Twins just get lucky with Polanco? A huge coincidence, seeing as how they also got lucky with Vargas, Santana, Arcia.....oh, and Dozier.

[diehardtwinsfan]

I'm curious: As long as he's walking a ton and getting base at a .350ish rate, why be concerned about his batting average? I'm not one of those "BA is meaningless" people, but as a No. 1 or 2 hitter Dozier's job is to get on base and get in scoring position. He has done that very effectively this year, allowing him to lead the league in runs scored for most of the season despite the .230 average.

I understand that, but I see it as room for improvement. I also think that a hit is still more valuable than a walk, especially with runners on. I'd agree that the key would be to up the OBP with it, but for a guy with a career minor league average of just under .300, a .230 BA is a bit concerning I think. I also think that if he does a better job putting balls in play for hits, the power numbers may recover a bit too.

[Kwak]

"The Real Brian Dozier" is sort of like "the real Trevor Plouffe" and "the real Joe Mauer" and so on.  We really need to see next season to firm up the conclusion.  As a hitter, I suspect he will resemble Plouffe more than any other Twin.  As a fielder, he resembles a Nick Punto but with a "better arm".

[Nick Nelson]

I understand that, but I see it as room for improvement. I also think that a hit is still more valuable than a walk, especially with runners on. I'd agree that the key would be to up the OBP with it, but for a guy with a career minor league average of just under .300, a .230 BA is a bit concerning I think. I also think that if he does a better job putting balls in play for hits, the power numbers may recover a bit too.

Yeah, I mean there's no doubt that an uptick in his batting average would take his game to another level. If he can keep walking at his current rate while batting around .260-270 he could approach a .400 OBP. But he's still a very valuable player while hitting .230, which says a lot about him.

[Major League Ready]

I like Dozier a lot.  He is a great example to our young players on how to play the game.  He has great focus on D, plate discipline, and has also shown the value of good base running.  Having said this, I would still entertain trading him for the right return.   We don't look so good in terms of OF prospects.  AB Walker might turn into something but what if we could get a Joc Pederson type OFer in return.  We have enough middle infield prospects that I am confident we could replace Dozier.  I don't think that is true in terms of corner OFers.  By 2016 we could have this team ...

 

C  - Pinto                                  1-Santana

1B - Mauer                               2-Buxton

2B - Polanco                            3-Mauer

3B - Sano                                 4-Sano

SS - Santana                            5-Vargas

CF - Buxton                              6-Arcia or new OFer

OF - "Pederson type"               7-Arcia or new OFer

OF - Arcia                                8-Pinto

DH - Vargas                             9-Polanco
           

That looks like a line-up with incredible potential.

 

Meyer

Barrios

Nolasco

Hughes

May

 

And a bullpen with a bunch of power arms.

 

You also have Stewart, Gordon, a very high pick this year and a whole lot of other depth waiting in the wings. 

Edited September 18, 2014 by Major Leauge Ready