Article: The Art of Streaking: Analyzing Brian Dozier’s Hitting Streak

[Cody Christie]

Brian Dozier has been on quite the streak to start the season. With a hit on Sunday, Dozier has hit safely in a team record 16 games to start the season. He has the longest active streak in baseball and his streak actually dates back to September 22 last season. What’s been working for Dozier? How has a career .252 hitter compiled the best streak of his career?Inside the Numbers

Entering play on Monday, Dozier has hit in 23 straight games and he’s batting .378 (37-for-98) during that stretch. Dozier’s 16-game hitting streak to start the season allowed him to pass Kirby Puckett and Josh Willingham for longest in club history to start a season. Puckett started the 1994 season with a 15 game streak and Josh Willingham matched the feat in 2012. In Monday night’s game, Dozier did collect a hit to move his streak to 24 straight games.

 

An even more impressive streak might be the fact that Dozier has reached base safely in 33 consecutive games. The last time Dozier didn’t reach base was September 10, 2017 against the Kansas City Royals. He went 0-for-3 in the game before being lifted for a pinch hitter in a blow-out loss. With a walk in his first at-bat on Monday, Dozier stretched this streak to 34 games.

 

During his on-base streak, Dozier’s .346 batting average trails Carlos Correa (.355) in the entire American League. Aaron Judge (.482 OBP) and Xander Bogaerts (.429 OBP) are the only AL players with a better on-base percentage during that stretch.

 

A New Approach?

Dozier has been known as a pull-hitter for most of his career. Even this season, you can see that all of his home runs are pulled down the third base line.

However over the last couple of seasons, there has been a shift in his approach at the plate. The 2016 season saw all but three of his home runs come outside of left-center to the first base foul line. In 2017, he had seven home runs in that range but he also had more hits to the opposite field.

As part of Minnesota’s trip to New York, Dozier stopped by MLB Network to discuss how his swing has evolved throughout his career. One golf outing with Tom Brunansky might have unlocked Dozier’s power potential. The video below is a great conversation to hear some insights into Dozier’s approach at the plate. He talks at length about his home run in last year’s Wild Card game.

 

Golfing for the Fences

Dozier’s approach at the plate has allowed him to have some good coverage of the entire strike zone. During his 34-game on-base streak, pitches in the bottom half of the zone have been where Dozier has done the most damage.

Apparently, Dozier’s golf swing is also helping him to get to pitches lower in the zone. Dozier will be a free agent at season’s end and he’s certainly seemed to be on a mission so far this season. His new swing could also help him reach some Minnesota Twins milestones in the coming months.

 

Joe DiMaggio’s 56-game hit streak is still a long ways away but Twins fans can have some fun watching Dozier as he goes streaking.

 

Around Twins Daily

Week in Review: Too Many Missteps

Twins Minor League Report (4/22): Romero Strikes Out 10, Buxton Rehabs

Max Kepler Improving His Approach in 2018

 

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[dbminn]

Dozier has done what he can to improve over the past five years: mechanics, diet, strike zone management and game planning. His current streak is a culmination of his work.

 

He's been a pleasure to watch. 

[tarheeltwinsfan]

Interesting interview with Dozier. Thanks.

[Doctor Wu]

Very good analysis, Cody. Indeed, longtime fans may be puzzled about --- as you wrote --- "how has a career .252 hitter compiled the best streak of his career?" Sounds like Dozier has made some crucial adjustments. Old dogs learning new tricks?