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Minnesota Twins: Brian Dozier About to Go Streaking

By Brandon Swoyer

May 16, 2017; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Twins second baseman Brian Dozier (2) hits a RBI double in the second inning against the Colorado Rockies at Target Field. Mandatory Credit: Jesse Johnson-USA TODAY Sports
May 16, 2017; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Twins second baseman Brian Dozier (2) hits a RBI double in the second inning against the Colorado Rockies at Target Field. Mandatory Credit: Jesse Johnson-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Minnesota Twins second baseman Brian Dozier is a notoriously streaky hitter, and he is showing signs that a hot streak is coming.

The Minnesota Twins count on their All-Star second baseman for a lot of their offense. Brian Dozier hit 42 home runs just a year ago in his best season in the Majors. That came despite a poor start to the season, with a batting average of .202 at the end of May. Dozier didn’t hit his sixth home run until June 2nd in 2016.

Flash forward to 2017.

Brian Dozier’s April and May have been modest compared to his year end totals of last year. Dozier has a lower average and slugging percentage than last year. He is also on pace for home run totals in the mid twenties.

The good news for fans is they know how the slow start ended in 2016. The better news is there are signs of a sequel in 2017.

Brian Dozier is currently riding a five game hitting streak. In this hitting streak, he has raised his batting average by seventeen points. The most positive signs about the streak, however, is the power.

Dozier has had three doubles in the last three days. He is starting to connect on balls up in the zone like he did Tuesday night against the Orioles. Dylan Bundy had the Minnesota Twins bats silent for most of the game, yet left a pitch up to Dozier in the 7th inning.  That is a ball Dozier hasn’t been making consistent contact with so far, but tonight he crushed it into the left field seats.

If Brian Dozier gets hot, look out AL Central.

The Minnesota Twins offense has been good so far this season, and that is without Dozier at his best. With Miguel Sano crushing baseballs, he has been shouldering a big part of the load so far. However, Robbie Grossman is an on base machine, Joe Mauer has been hot, and the bottom of the lineup is night and day since the start of the season. Insert a hot Brian Dozier into this mix, other pitchers might want to take an off day.

Next: Kyle Gibson: The Quadruple-A Pitcher

Dozier’s five game hitting streak is showing signs of a hot streak on the way. This might help his trade value if the front office decides that is the best decision. However, if the rest of the lineup continues to hit and Dozier goes streaking, they might be in first place for quite some time.

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