I don't think one dude should talk about how great another dude is by using the words "stroking" and "balls" in the same sentence. Just sayin

Dozier has solidified himself as a really good piece for this team. After growing up a shortstop and transitioning his defense at 2nd is excellent and seems to be getting better. After some struggles initially at the mlb level, he really bought into and implemented Bruno's power/patience approach and has flourished at it better than anyone else on the roster. Even his base running is at an all time high aggressivly taking extra bases and stealing with a high sucess rate.

It will be interesting to see where he ends up hitting in the long run, the power seems a bit wasted at the top of the order but the patient approach, obp, and his running game all play well lead off. I also wonder if the power isn't boosted a lot by the leadoff spot because pitchers have to pitch to him, lower in the order and 2-5 isn't coming up behind him.

He isn't really an ideal 2 hitter because he does strikeout and doesn't have great bat control to consistently move runners over or hit and run. He isn't really a high enough average threat or rbi guy to be 3-5. His obp is kinda wasted 6-9. So I think lead off really is the ideal spot but I could see him ending up at 2 or 6 eventually as well.

The guy is gamer and an igniter. He appears to be leading by example and perhaps vocally, as well. Regarding his baserunning and baseball instincits, yesterday, on Hardy's low throw that got through the backup Birds 1st baseman, Dozier had less than a split second to see where the ball was and the backup fielders were, and make a decision on whether or not to take the extra base, when running it back in slow mo, you can see he processed the information in a flash and made it safely to second with just enough margin.

On a good team he probably should be batting 6th, it's a shame that all of his HRs are of the solo variety- that's a function of Hicks and Florimon batting in front him at epically futile rates, but there's no doubt in my mind, he's still hands-down the MVP of the team thus far, and he's the leadoff guy until Buxton can ensconce him self for good.

Now we've got another guy, in the OF this time, who also doesn't take being a major leaguer for granted in Sam Fuld, he obviously is no Dozier talent-wise, but now having 2 heady guys on the field willing to lay it all out might become contagious- maybe more guys would be willing to explore finding ways to win ballgames.

Dozier is a true "Brian Baseball"- Twins-variation- and not the likes of those poser-types we used to be ashamed were on the roster- Lil' Nicky please stand up- Dozier is the real deal. Great post Stringer!

I think I've seen enough based upon his fielding and hitting that the right side of the infield is set for a while. I would think about trying to sign him to a longer term deal. He is part of the future with Rosario being part of the future OF

Dozier is a class guy, having gone on a Christian mission trip. He is they type of player I want my grandson to look up to.

Agreed, great post stringer. He's a second basemen, and a dang good one. I know SS has been a dearth, but Dozier is a strength at 2b at a position that had been every bit the black hole that SS has been for Twins.

Also so agreed, the Twins do need more "heady" players who field their position well AND hit well. High batting average is only one part of the equation, and being a good hitter can be done with high slugging and obp.