Minnesota Twins Player Preview: Brian Dozier
Can Brian Dozier take the next big step for the Minnesota Twins?
In a lot of ways, 2015 proved to be the breakout season for Minnesota Twins second baseman Brian Dozier.
Twins fans already knew about Dozier’s power and gap hitting ability but nationally, he wasn’t as well known or respected as someone like Robinson Cano or Howie Kendrick.
From his dominant first half of the season to a grass roots campaign to get him named to the All-Star team that fell short due to the Kansas City Royals fans to his eventual All-Star selection to his home run in his first at-bat in the mid-summer classic, Dozier had landed.
However, a rough second half of the season slowed down his production but nonetheless, Dozier remains a key piece to the organizations success in 2016 and beyond.
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2015 Recap
Prior to the start of the season, Dozier was rewarded with a 4-year, $20 million contract extension and supplied the Twins with perhaps his finest season to date.
Dozier had career highs in home runs (28), RBIs (77), hits (148) and doubles (39) while also being named an All-Star after Jose Bautista’s injury opened up a spot.
During the first half alone, Dozier had 19 home runs and 50 RBIs including a pair of memorable walk-off home runs within a one-week period.
The first blast came just hours after finding out he would not be on the All-Star roster. Against the Baltimore Orioles on July 6th, Dozier broke a 2-all tie in the 10th inning with a two-run shot.
The next – and perhaps most memorable – was a three-run bomb against the Detroit Tigers that capped off a seven-run inning that saw the Twins trailing 6-1 in the bottom of the ninth before winning, 8-6.
Also, if you need your daily dose of goosebumps and/or have forgotten about that homer against the Tigers, check it out here.
Following the break, Dozier’s production fell off as he struggled with injuries. He only hit nine more home runs and drove in 27 runs while hitting .210.
Next: Strengths and Weaknesses