The Minnesota Twins had a Top-10 offense in 2017 en route to a historical playoff berth. They will need a repeat performance to get back in 2018. Leading the charge is the Twins power hitting second baseman.
Brian Dozier has been one of the most underrated players in MLB since breaking into the big leagues in 2012. Dozier has been the picture of consistency for the Minnesota Twins and they will need him to continue to be a top power hitter in baseball.
Manager Paul Molitor has a lot of weapons at his disposal this season. Eddie Rosario took a step forward last season and Byron Buxton looks like a future star. Joe Mauer will continue to produce and Miguel Sano is a rising star in MLB. However, for the Twins to reach their potential in ’18, Dozier might be the most important piece to the puzzle.
What Dozier means to the Twins
Dozier doesn’t play a premium position defensively but he does play at a high level. Second base is usually where a team will stash an inferior defender in order to have their bat in the lineup everyday. Dozier may lack elite range defensively but he is definitely an above average defender.
His offense has always outshined his stellar defense, but Dozier finally received the recognition he deserves. He came up as a shortstop in the Minnesota Twins system and won his first gold glove in 2017 at second base.
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However, it is his bat that has carried him this far in MLB. Dozier is a career .251 hitter with 151 home runs in 3770 plate appearances. He averaged 140 strikeouts per season but he also consistently takes walks. A career. 327 on base percentage isn’t great, but it shows he has some plate discipline.
Dozier hit .271 last season while mashing 34 home runs. The Twins pitching staff has question marks all over so they may have to rely heavily on the offense this season.
The Minnesota Twins need to seriously consider extending Dozier’s contract this season. He will hit the open market at season’s end and the Twins will need Dozier if they want to continue to ascend in the American League. Dozier has earned an extension and it would be wise for the Twins to offer him one.
The future is bright for the Minnesota Twins. They have a few possible impact players working their way through the Minors. Mauer and Sano are locked up for the foreseeable future and Buxton has established himself in centerfield. Dozier and his 30 plus home runs will be crucial for the Twins to have success in ’18.
Next: Time for the Twins to make a move
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