Brian Dozier

After struggling in 2018 with the Twins and Dodgers, Dozier got off to a slow start in 2019, hitting .209 with a 26.9 K% through the end of May. He brought his average up slightly over the remainder of the season, finishing with a .238 mark, but also finished with a career-low 74.8% contact rate. Dozier hit 20 home runs, his sixth straight year reaching 20, but he basically stopped running and was caught on the basepaths more times than he was successful (3-for-7 on SB attempts). Dozier lost playing time as the season progressed and logged just a single plate appearance in the World Series before hitting free agency again this winter. The steals should not be expected to return as Dozier's sprint speed is middle of the pack as he approaches age 33, and without those, there's not much here to like.

Dozier had a slow start with a .217 average and .689 OPS through June. With the Twins falling out of contention, he was traded to the Dodgers at the end of July. He shuffled in and out of the lineup, finishing with just a .182 average and .650 OPS in the NL. Despite his poor numbers, it's hard to find much of a drop-off in his advanced metrics. Dozier had nearly identical strikeout rates and hard-hit rates. He still draws walks at a good clip (11.1%) and still has above-average power for a middle infielder (21 home runs). Dozier is a subpar defensive second baseman (despite a 2017 Gold Glove), and ultimately was forced to settle for a one-year, $9 million deal with the Nationals in free agency. It was only two years ago he was among the elite power sources at his position and he has stolen 12-plus bases every year since 2013, so a bounce-back is possible at 31 with ample playing time in Washington.

Dozier didn't repeat his AL-record 42 home runs for a second baseman, but had the second best season of his career by hitting 34 home runs and winning his first Gold Glove. He drew more walks (11.1 percent from 8.8 percent) but his 20 percent strikeout rate was identical to what he produced in 2016. Dozier rode a career-best .300 BABIP to a career-best .271 average. His batted-ball profile has improved over the past couple seasons, so he shouldn't revert back to his career .276 BABIP, but some slight batting average regression should be expected. He should continue running while frequently hitting in the leadoff spot where he's been most comfortable even though his power may play better later in the order. This placement has allowed him to produce four straight 100-plus run seasons, and there is no reason to expect a dropoff. Among second basemen, only Jose Altuve and Jose Ramirez can keep up with Dozier's reliable production in the four major counting stats.

Dozier has become one of the top fantasy options at second base due to his surging power and added speed. He was having a typical season through the first half (14 home runs, .786 OPS) but surged in the second half with 28 home runs and a .990 OPS over his last 72 games, finishing with 42 homers (the most ever for an AL second baseman). While that home run total may look like a fluke given the large leap from his previous career high (28), there are reasons to think he can approach that level again. Dozier has seen his slugging percentage increase every season in the majors and most of his other statistical measures were in line with his career, although he did have a high 18.4 percent HR/FB rate. Dozier doesn't draw walks at a great rate and strikes out a little too often, which makes his batting average a risk, but he should continue running while frequently hitting in the leadoff spot where he's been most comfortable.

Dozier offers a rare combination of speed and power at second base and has become a consistent fantasy producer the past three seasons. He looked set to have a career year after hitting 19 home runs while slashing .256/.328/.513 at midseason, but struggled after the All-Star break by hitting just nine home runs with a .280 on-base percentage while slugging just .359. Dozier improved as a fielder after he struggled at times with his defense the past two seasons. He doesn't draw walks at a great rate and strikes out a little too often, which makes his batting average a risk. Dozier also saw a slight decline in stolen-base attempts last season, which could continue if he moves lower in the order as the Twins may have better options in the top two spots, where he spent most of 2015. However, those are minor risks as Dozier looks set for another season in his prime as Minnesota's starting second baseman.

Dozier showed that his 2013 breakout season was no fluke as he was one of just five players with at least 20 home runs and 20 stolen bases last year. Dozier nearly duplicated his 2013 stats, but he had several positive developments -- specifically, more home runs and stolen bases as he played nine more games. He scored 112 runs as he hit first or second in the batting order almost all season. He also increased his walk rate to 12.6% from 8.6% in 2013. Perhaps the only negative was that he took a slight step back in the field as he doubled his errors (15) at second base and had a below average season by most defensive metrics. Still, his glove is seen as strong enough to keep his bat at second base. His 112 runs scored may not sustainable as he's not a high OBP player, and he could be dropped to the middle of the order, but otherwise Dozier looks set to be a top fantasy option again at second base in 2015.

Dozier revived his career by moving to second base last season, resulting in improved defense to go with good power at the plate. He disappointed in 2012 as a rookie as he hit just .234/.271/.332 and struggled with his defense at shortstop where his range was inadequate. The move to second base improved his defense as he made just six errors and was 11th in UZR among regular second basemen. He also improved at the plate by hitting .244/.312/.414 with 18 home runs. Dozier improved his walk rate (eight percent of plate appearances) which was more in line with his minor league career. He hit for some power in the minors, so his 18 home runs were not a fluke, and he also has decent speed with 14 stolen bases. He'll enter his prime next season at age 26 as Minnesota's starting second baseman and offers a valuable power-speed combination for a middle infielder.

After hitting hitting .318/.384/.502 at Double-A in 2011, Dozier looked like a potential shortstop of the future for the Twins. He was called up after a strong first month at Triple-A and given the starting shortstop job. He started off hot by hitting .298 with two home runs in his first 11 games, but cooled off quickly at the plate and was hitting just .234/.271/.332 before he was demoted in August. He also struggled with his defense, making 15 errors in 83 games with a -1.2 UZR. His range was not seen as adequate enough to play shortstop and the Twins moved him to second base in winter ball. The truth is he was likely overrated as a prospect as he will be 26 years old this season, and had fewer than 400 at-bats above High-A before he was given an everyday job in the majors. He has some pop (eight homers last year) and speed (25 stolen bases in 2011) and drew walks at a good clip before last year. Dozier still could carve out a major league role at second base, but will likely need to prove himself for a long stretch at Triple-A.

Dozier had a strong minor league season that could put him in position to make an impact in the majors with the Twins as early as 2012. Dozier hit .322/.423/.472 at High-A Fort Myers and then duplicated that performance by hitting .318/.384/.502 in a tough hitting environment at Double-A New Britain. He followed that up by hitting .298/.358/.454 with three home runs in 26 games in the Arizona Fall League. Dozier primarily played shortstop but also saw time at second base. It's not clear if he has the range to start at shortstop in the majors. However, his bat could eventually make him Minnesota's solution at shortstop as he has some pop (nine homers last year), strong plate discipline (66:55 K:BB ratio) and speed (25 stolen bases). He'll begin the season at Double-A, but could reach the majors in a utility role this summer. He's a prospect to grab in deeper keeper leagues.