Apparently the play of the Minnesota Twins in the first quarter of the season is a surprise not just to local fans. If voting for the 2015 All Star Game is any indication, the Twins are getting overlooked by fans around the country.
Major League Baseball released it’s first All Star Game ballot update and despite having the third best record in the American League, not a single Minnesota Twins player made the top five.
Considering their 25-12 record after their 1-6 start to the season, that’s somewhat surprising. Especially noticeable is the absence of Twins second baseman Brian Dozier.
I've seen a few people wonder why
Brian Dozier isn't among top five 2B in AL All-Star voting. The answer: fan vote=popularity contest.— Tyler Mason (@tylermason21) May 26, 2015
“He’s definitely a catalyst for us,” said Twins manager Paul Molitor to FOX Sports North, when he was asked about the job Dozier has done in the leadoff spot. “He has shown that he has the ability to hit in more than one role in the lineup. He’s one of those guys that you like to have because he can fill more than one role.”
Dozier comes into Tuesday night’s game hitting .287, with a .358 on-base percentage and a .620 slugging percentage. Dozier is tied with Toronto’s Josh Donaldson for the American League lead with 35 runs scored.
But it’s his power that really makes the 28-year-old stand out at a position not normally associated with home run hitters. Dozier homered twice in the Twins Sunday afternoon victory over Chicago, to up his season total to nine.
Dozier also blasted a solo home run to lead off the game.
Despite competing in last year’s home run derby at Target Field, Dozier was left off the 2014 All Star Game roster as well, after posting similar numbers during the first half of last season.
According to ESPN 1500, Dozier has 50 home runs since the start of the 2013 season – more than any other second baseman.
Most home runs by MLB 2nd basemen since 2013
- Brian Dozier – 50
- Robinson Cano – 42
- Neil Walker – 41
