Brian Dozier

Organization Prospect Rankings

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  Ranked Minnesota Twins #10 prospect in 2012
  A four-year starter at Southern Mississippi, Dozier overcame a broken collarbone as a senior to return to action in the 2009 College World Series and bat .349 in his pro debut after signing for $30,000. He was named the Twins' 2011 minor league player of the year after leading the system in nine offensive categories, including on-base percentage (.399), slugging (.491), extra-base hits (54) and steals (24). Skilled and savvy, Dozier gets the most out of his solid athleticism and endears himself to managers with his grinding style. He has gotten stronger as a pro and has natural hitting tempo and barrel-to-ball ability. His plate discipline, bat control and speed help him fit the profile of a No. 2 hitter. He's an outstanding bunter and fine baserunner with average speed. Dozier is a fundamentally sound middle infielder with an average arm and plus range. He's an instinctive player who gets good hops and makes all the routine plays. His tools profile him as a second baseman, but his intangibles should allow him to stick at shortstop. Dozier is similar to Jamey Carroll, whom the Twins signed for two years and $6.75 million this offseason. He could replace Carroll in Minnesota at the end of that contract, or learn under him as a utility player before that. Either way, Dozier figures to start 2012 in Triple-A.
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  Ranked Minnesota Twins #30 prospect in 2011
  Dozier had one of the best careers in Southern Mississippi history, batting .355 as a four-year starter. He missed the Golden Eagles' Cinderella run to the 2009 College World Series with a broken collarbone, though he pinch-hit in Omaha. He pushed his way up to high Class A in 2010, his first full season, even after missing 2009 instructional league so he could return to Southern Miss and pick up his degree. Dozier doesn't have any above-average tools but he does a lot of things well and has plenty of polish. He controls the strike zone well and has a contact-oriented, all-fields approach at the plate. He handles the bat well enough to profile as a No. 2 hitter. His biggest weakness is his lack of power, as he doesn't project to hit more than 5-10 homers annually. He has average speed, runs the bases well and plays the game intelligently. Dozier's fundamental approach to the game carries over to the defensive side, where he's good enough to handle shortstop at the lower levels but fits better at second because of his fringy arm strength. He also saw time at third base last season and in center field during instructional league. Dozier figures to jump to Double-A this year.

• December, 2011 Scouting Report
  Background: A four-year starter at Southern Mississippi, Dozier overcame a broken collarbone as a senior to return to action in the 2009 College World Series and bat .349 in his pro debut after signing for just $30,000. He was the Twins' 2011 minor league player of the year after leading the system in nine offensive categories, including on-base percentage (.399), slugging (.491) and steals (24). Scouting Report: Skilled and savvy, Dozier gets the most out of his solid athleticism and endears himself to managers with his grinding style. He has gotten stronger as a pro and has natural hitting tempo and barrel-to-ball ability. His plate discipline, bat control and speed help him fit the profile of a No. 2 hitter. He's an outstanding bunter and fine baserunner with average speed. Dozier is a fundamentally sound middle infielder with an average arm and plus range. He's an instinctive player who gets good hops and makes all the routine plays. His tools profile him as a second baseman, but his intangibles should allow him to stick at shortstop. The Future: Dozier is similar to Jamey Carroll, whom the Twins signed for two years this offseason. He could replace Carroll in Minnesota at the end of that contract, or learn under him as a utility player before that. Either way, Dozier figures to start 2012 in Triple-A.