Is Dozier a Keeper?

[YourHouseIsMyHouse]

I will say that he's been a pleasant surprise this season, especially when you consider this is his first year starting there. He's been healthy, hitting well, and defending at an elite level. Eddie Rosario is a great prospect (and my favorite), but are the chances of him being an upgrade reasonable? As a former outfielder (and with a struggling outfield), it seems like more and more that playing Eddie in the field would fit well with the team needs. He's hitting well in New Britain and if given a September call-up, I'd like to see him in the Outfield quite a bit. A position change doesn't become detrimental to player development (at least to the Twins) when you consider how they've handled Parmelee.

 

Now to back up what I've said about Dozier. It's true he was a terrible rookie (happens to a lot of people), but it looks like he deserves his playing time and opportunities for a while. Could he fail? Sure. Could he provide value long-term? Possibly. I really hated him last season, but Brian has grown on me. He's 2nd on the Twins in WAR with his 1.8 dwarfed only by Joe Mauer. It's also #11 in the MLB for 2B. His OPS is above .700, his OPS+ 94, and he's on pace for 15HRs. There is a good case to be made for gold glove consideration and I would say he's been the best fielding 2B in the league. The Fielding % is .995, his range factor is #1, and he's on pace to be 14 runs above average for the season.

 

This has been a small sample size with only 72 games under his belt, but last year was too (84). On the other hand, maybe there's not much room for growth as a 26 year old. What do you think? Does Brian Dozier have starting capabilities for the Twins beyond the next few years?

[TheLeviathan]

The last month has certainly helped that cause. Kid can pick it at second too.

[jorgenswest]

I don't think there is any reason to look for a replacement going into next year. If he doesn't work out as a starter, Rosario will be ready to take his shot. The Twins have bigger problems to solve.

[greengoblinrulz]

He's been goin strong for a solid 6 weeks. Needs to keep it up, but is a ray of hope to watch in the 2nd half.

[Badsmerf]

When is the last time the Twins had too many good guys for the middle INF? Rosario's bat wont really play at a corner OF spot. I have to wonder how the Twins are going to make this work in the next couple years. Plouffe, Sano, Dozier, Rosario, Parmelee needs spots, and possibly a different SS (Dozier or Plouffe get another shot?). It is going to be interesting where they fit everybody in.

[diehardtwinsfan]

I think it's too soon to crown Dozier a keeper, but it's really nice to see what he's doing. Rosario is going to start next year in either AA or AAA, so Brian has plenty of time to show management if he's for real. Worst case, he bumps Florimon out all together to make room for Rosario. If the Twins run into the problem of having Sano, Plouffe, Rosario, Dozier, and Parmelee all producing, then one gets traded.

[gunnarthor]

It's probably not a big problem. Dozier is probably setting himself up pretty well for having second base next year but, if Rosario develops as we hope, he won't stand in his way. I think Dozier could be a nice UI type, too. Or, in a perfect world, Dozier could turn in two consecutive 3+ WAR seasons and might have a bit of trade value since he'd still be in his arbitration years.

 

And, of course, as good a prospect as Rosario is, he could still flame out.

 

In any event, give Dozier credit for becoming a really solid MLer. He's probably somewhere in the 10-15 range of best second basemen in baseball right now.

[notoriousgod71]

Stop gap until someone else better comes along.

[Chance]

Is it possible with as much range and ability that dozier has shown that he could move back to short? His defense wasn't really a question going through the minors. Last year things kind of snowballed on him and he just seemed to take his problems with him wherever he went.

[kab21]

It's still too early to tell if he's a keeper but there are only two potential MI keepers above low A (Dozier is one). Despite lengthy debates regarding potential neither Escobar/Florimon belong in a starting lineup long-term.

 

Dozier will get his chances and it wouldn't surprise me if he moves back to short in a couple of years. I also wouldn't be surprised if part of his success this year isn't due to being able to relax a little in the field. Once he's established as a hitter it's possible that he could move back and be solid offensively and defensively.

[Nick Nelson]

What I'm loving are the recent strides in plate discipline. Since the start of June, 16 strikeouts and 18 walks. That's much more reflective of his success in the minors.

[Riverbrian]

What I'm loving are the recent strides in plate discipline. Since the start of June, 16 strikeouts and 18 walks. That's much more reflective of his success in the minors.

 

This... Exactly this!!!

 

Dozier has home run pop... A great glove for 2B.

 

When hitters stop swinging at crap... Numbers start improving and the old MLB numbers don't matter anymore.

 

You gotta give someone like this some time... I'm keeping him without any question at all.

 

He will let me know later if its time to walk away.

[beckmt]

Dozier deserves to be kept for at least the next year or two, based on current production. If Rosario pans out he may have to move back to SS, but that is in the future.

[Danchat]

Having crowded room at any position is good. (like at CF last year?) Dozier and Rosario can be on the same baseball team. So can Plouffe and Sano.

Anyways, if Dozier can bat .260 with 16 HRs and good defense I'm happy. I'm keeping him.

[stringer bell]

I'd say the consensus is that Dozier is absolutely a keeper for next year (at this point) and then come the questions after that--will Rosario be ready to claim 2B? Could Dozier become the primary utility infielder? Could Dozier move back to short to make room for Rosario? I do believe that Dozier has the ability to play shortstop and be a major league average fielder. It seemed to me that Brian made the classic rookie mistake of taking his at-bats with him to the field last year. He has been somewhere between very good and outstanding on defense this year as a second baseman.

[Oxtung]

Dozier's first 37 games this season he had an .508 OPS. The next 36 he has a .936 OPS. I think neither are probably the true Brian Dozier. Where exactly he ends up in the middle will determine his value moving forward. As others have said he will get the rest of the season and probably the beginning of next to show he belongs. You reevaluate at that point.