Article: Can Zach Granite Follow Brian Dozier's Footsteps?

[Cody Christie]

Developing MLB players is a tough task for any organization. There are so many factors that can impact the development of a team's top tier talent. Through the ups-and-downs of a players professional career, there can be moments where everything clicks or moments that push a player away from the game.

 

When the Twins took Brian Dozier with an eighth-round pick, the organization probably never imagined he would turn into a hitter capable of belting 40 home runs. Now the Twins have another late round pick that is starting to blossom in the Twins system.

 

Can Zach Granite follow Brian Dozier's footsteps?As a 24-year old, Dozier split the 2011 season between High-A and Double-A. He hit .320/.399/.491 with 54 extra-base hits in 127 games. He was almost a year and a half older than the competition in the Florida State League so it was tough to fit him into the Twins prospect picture. Because of the numbers he accumulated, the club named him the 2011 Twins Minor League Player of the Year.

 

Granite was taken in the 14th round on the 2013 MLB draft. He spent all of the his age-23 season in the Lookouts outfield. He hit .295/.347/.729 with 30 extra-base hits in 127 games. His 56 stolen bases were the most steals by any minor league player last year. He was a year younger than the competition in the Southern League. Like Dozier before him, Granite was awarded the 2016 Twins Minor League Player of the Year.

 

"He's one guy I was looking forward to watching play," Paul Molitor told the Star Tribune. "He's coming off a really good year with a lot of people speaking really highly of him. I like those kind of players. There's a place for those guys."

 

There are some notable differences between Granite and Dozier. Dozier came up through the Twins system as a shortstop but was never strong enough to stay at that position. Granite's speed has seen him play the majority of his professional career in center field. Dozier is still a below average defender and Granite has the potential to be above average.

 

Both players have a very different approach at the plate. Dozier has developed into one of the best power hitting infielders in baseball. Granite wants to put the ball in play and use his speed to his advantage. His speed and defensive ability should help him fit into the big league line-up in the near future.

 

"I don't care who's on the mound, I think I can hit anybody," Granite said. "I've got the confidence to be here. Playing scared, that's not my game. I believe I belong, so hopefully somebody else does, too."

 

Granite will never be a big home run hitter. However, he's on a path to go from being a late-round pick to a MLB regular. This type of late round find needs to continue to happen if Minnesota is going to get back to respectability in the American League.

 

When will Granite make an impact on the big league squad? What type of MLB player do you think he will be? Leave a COMMENT and start the discussion.

 

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[mikelink45]

Nice article.  It is fun to see a player take off and make the most of their talent. 

[sftwinsfan]

I see him fitting in a bit better with a N.L. team.  Extra outfielder, late-inning pinch runner, defensive replacement.  He has 39 career doubles in 1,309 minor league AB's.  I just don't see him making it as a regular, unless on a terrible team with a lot of injuries.  If they ever expand the roster sizes it would be nice to carry a guy like him to steal a base late in a game or run down a fly ball in the gap.

[Seth Stohs]

I was chatting with Tommy Watkins yesterday before I left, and actually we did kind of a Brian Dozier comparison. 

 

I told Watkins that Granite isn't the kind of guy that's going to jump out at you if you just watch a game. But if you watch him for a week, or over time, you start realizing all that he does for a team on the baseball field. Knows the strike zone, great approach. doesn't try to do too much, hits line drives, runs the bases very well, plays good defense with great range, and has an OK arm.

 

Maybe 5 years ago, I was in Beloit talking with Tommy Watkins, and he said that Brian Dozier was the kind of guy that you didn't notice him a lot if you just watched one game, but if you watched him for a week, you would start appreciating all the things he can do on the field. 

 

Both have the ability to show leadership qualities in the clubhouse too...

 

Obviously Dozier has become the type of player that you do notice if you watch one game. Granite, as Cody mentions, isn't going to hit 42 homers in his career, much less in a season, but he can still be an impact player... in a role.

[Willihammer]

Katoh likes Granite quite a bit:

 

http://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/top-24-prospects-minnesota-twins/

[Respy]

 

I just don't see him making it as a regular, unless on a terrible team with a lot of injuries.

 

You might just be in luck this year!

[nicksaviking]

After watching Buxton's success last off season, I think I'd like to see these speed guys stop using their speed by intentionally hitting grounders and trying to beat them out and instead drive the ball and turn singles into doubles and doubles into triples.

[Respy]

 

After watching Buxton's success last off season, I think I'd like to see these speed guys stop using their speed by intentionally hitting grounders and trying to beat them out and instead drive the ball and turn singles into doubles and doubles into triples.

 

In a world of advanced scouting and statistics, and extreme shifts, I think it's best for a scrappy-type player to be able to do both.  We are going to be able to see more success in the future for baseball-savvy players who can make both those short-term and long-term adjustments to stay ahead of the scouting by other teams.  Hopefully Granite can be that type of player.

[Physics Guy]

Granite appears to be a Ben Revere clone.  He is older than Revere with slightly higher power.  Hopefully he can throw better than Revere.  If so, he fits at least as a 4th OF.

[ThejacKmp]

Agreed with Physics Guy. People on TD love them Zach Granite but I have a hard time seeing him as more than a 4th OF. That said, he'd be a really nice 4th OF so I'm excited for that. Danny Santana may make this team since he can PR and no one else can. There's clearly a value in having someone who can steal a base and play great D.

[Deduno Abides]

If Granite's defense is as good as advertised, Jarrod Dyson may be a better comp than Revere. Dyson has been a 2.5 - 3 WAR player over the past four years. Granite may be a better hitter than Dyson.

[Comrade Bork]

I'd absolutely take a guy with Granite's profile for a fourth outfielder over a guy like Grossman.

[nicksaviking]

 

If Granite's defense is as good as advertised, Jarrod Dyson may be a better comp than Revere. Dyson has been a 2.5 - 3 WAR player over the past four years. Granite may be a better hitter than Dyson.

 

I can see it considering the skill set, but Granite is considerably bigger than Revere or Dyson. I'd think that would translate into a greater ability to drive the ball instead of slap them into the turf should someone advise him on a different approach. Not that someone necessarily would, just that there is greater potential to do so than a more slight guy.

 

I actually think the Dozier comp in the title is more apt than we recall. Prior to his demotion Dozier was much more of a high contact slap hitter. He significantly changed his approach only after his original MLB demotion.

[GP830]

Rock-solid assessment. 

[Dr. Evil]

I'm bullish on Granite. I would love to see him as a 4th of. But not in the typical sense. I mean competing for playing time and pushing the other 3.

[DocBauer]

Just curious...I like Granite as well...but this same time next year, could English be the better overall prospect? I swear I read somewhere that he has a stronger arm. He seems to have a similar table settling approach at the plate and his speed is very good. Just wondering what anyone thinks.

[bluechipper]

Just curious...I like Granite as well...but this same time next year, could English be the better overall prospect? I swear I read somewhere that he has a stronger arm. He seems to have a similar table settling approach at the plate and his speed is very good. Just wondering what anyone thinks.

English is the better defender, but he hadn't hit much yet in his career.

[amjgt]

 

Granite was taken in the 14th round on the 2013 MLB draft. He spent all of the his age-23 season in the Lookouts outfield. He hit .295/.347/.729 with 30 extra-base hits in 127 games. 
 

 

SLG was 382

OPS was 729

[amjgt]

His Effective OPS was 809

 

eSLG = (TB+SB-CS) / AB

 

 

 

Edited March 22, 2017 by amjgt

[Mr. Brooks]

His Effective OPS was 809

 

eSLG = (TB+SB-CS) / AB

You can't give a SB the same weight as a walk though.

A walk can advance runners, a stolen base cannot.

 

I think we'd have to find out what percentage of time, league wide, a walk advances another runner a base, and adjust accordingly.

For example, if it is 20%, then a SB should only be worth .8 total bases.

[ThejacKmp]

 

I'm bullish on Granite. I would love to see him as a 4th of. But not in the typical sense. I mean competing for playing time and pushing the other 3.

Too bad he hits left. It'd be ideal if the Twins 4th OF was a righty.

[amjgt]

 

You can't give a SB the same weight as a walk though.
A walk can advance runners, a stolen base cannot.

I think we'd have to find out what percentage of time, league wide, a walk advances another runner a base, and adjust accordingly.
For example, if it is 20%, then a SB should only be worth .8 total bases.

 

I agree that it's not perfect, but were moving the SLG not the OBP. 

 

Granted a double has more run-scoring potential than a single and a SB, however, at the same time, a single and a CS has significantly more run-scoring potential than a pop-out.

 

I'd be interested to know how WAR treats SB (and CS).

 

Just trying to represent a base-stealer's contributions better than a standard triple slash.

[mudcat14]

I'm rapidly tiring of Rosario's 'swing at everything' approach, and was searching MLB rosters for a veteran someone might want to unload for some salary relief.  I'm coming around to the idea that Granite might be our best option.  If he can come close to duplicating his .349 career OBP, those table-setting skills could be exactly what we need.  Kind of our own Adam Eaton, with less pop & way less K's. 

[Tim in ED]

I stopped reading this when he said Dozier was a below average defender.

 

[diehardtwinsfan]

 

Granite was taken in the 14th round on the 2013 MLB draft. He spent all of the his age-23 season in the Lookouts outfield. He hit .295/.347/.729 with 30 extra-base hits in 127 games. His 56 stolen bases were the most steals by any minor league player last year. He was a year younger than the competition in the Southern League. Like Dozier before him, Granite was awarded the 2016 Twins Minor League Player of the Year.

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that split is wrong. 

 

I'd add that Granite has never shown Dozier's power.  Not quite sure where the comparison comes from.  He's a prospect that might surprise and turn into an above average CF, but his bat is never going to be his specialty.  The only time he's managed a high OPS in the minors is in very small samples, and his career OPS is just over .700.

 

Dozier showed flashes, destroying the rookie leagues and A+ and AA in 2011.