Living in the Twin Cities area for this year has made me slightly more tuned into the Twins this season. I've heard a lot more about the struggles of Byron Buxton, the starting rotation, and now that I think about it, the team as a whole. But what has set the town on fire since the All-Star break is diminutive second baseman Brian Dozier.
Now I would forgive you if you weren't paying much attention to Dozier's 2nd half stats, as the Twins are firmly out of the playoff picture, and their biggest star, Joe Mauer, is a shell of his former self. But brace yourself for the batting line you're about to witness:
50 G, 232 PA, 69 H, 16 2B, 24 HR, 48 RBI, .327/.372/.763/1.135
Paced out over 162 games it looks like this:
162 G, 752 PA, 224 H, 52 2B, 78 HR, 156 RBI, .327/.372/.763/1.135
Yes, you read that correctly. 78 FREAKING HOME RUNS. And this isn't a hot week or two, this is about one-third of an entire season. Even if you extend the period back to the past 72 games, he's still pacing 70 home runs over 162 games. Simply put, baseball rarely sees a hot streak that is this hot and for this long.
Dozier has a chance to hit both 40 HR and 40 2B this season, which has only been accomplished 38 times in baseball history. Most recently, both Josh Donaldson and Nolan Arenado did it last season. While it is much more of a long shot, Dozier does have a chance to reach 100 extra base hits (he is currently at 75).
Since 1941, there have only been 21 players with a 2nd half of at least 16 2B and 24 HR.The list is full of steroid-era players and future/current Hall of Famers. And then there is Brian Dozier. Every other player had at least 69 games to amass those totals. It's only taken Dozier 50 games.
The most home runs ever hit in a 2nd half is 1999 Mark McGwire with 37. 1938 Hank Greenberg and 1995 Albert Belle hit 36. 2001's Sammy Sosa and Barry Bonds hit 35 and 34, respectively. 2016 Brian Dozier is currently on pace to hit 35.5 home runs in the 2nd half. Just think about that company for a second.
Bottom line is, I'll have some of whatever Brian Dozier is having.
All statistics referenced are from Baseball-Reference.com.
