Hunter Dozier

{{Infobox baseball biography

|name=Hunter Dozier

|image=Hunter Dozier (cropped).jpg

|image_size=

|caption=Dozier with the Kansas City Royals in 2018

|position=Third baseman / First baseman / Outfielder

|team=Free agent

|number=

|bats=Right

|throws=Right

|birth_date={{birth date and age|1991|8|22}}

|birth_place=Wichita Falls, Texas, U.S.

|debutleague = MLB

|debutdate = September 12

|debutyear = 2016

|debutteam = Kansas City Royals

|statyear = 2023 season

|statleague = MLB

|stat1label = Batting average

|stat1value = .238

|stat2label = Home runs

|stat2value = 73

|stat3label = Runs batted in

|stat3value = 235

|teams=

Kansas City Royals ({{mlby|2016}}, {{mlby|2018}}–{{mlby|2023}})

|awards =

MLB Triples co-leader (2019){{efn|Tied with Adalberto Mondesí and Whit Merrifield}}

}}

Hunter William Dozier (born August 22, 1991) is an American professional baseball third baseman who is a free agent. He has previously played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Kansas City Royals. The Royals selected Dozier eighth overall in the first round of the 2013 MLB draft after he played college baseball for the Stephen F. Austin Lumberjacks. He made his MLB debut in 2016.

Amateur career

Dozier attended Denton High School in Denton, Texas, where he played for the school's baseball and American football teams;{{Cite web |last=Muench |first=Matthew |date=May 8, 2010 |title=Dozier headed to SFA on baseball scholarship |url=http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/spt/highschools/leaderboard/v3/denton/stories/DRC_dentonsignings_0508.412f2ef.html |access-date=June 25, 2014 |website=dallasnews.com}}{{Cite web |last=Muench |first=Matthew |date=August 20, 2009 |title=Football: New and improved Denton Broncos: DHS expects progress with more experience |url=http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/spt/highschools/leaderboard/v3/denton/stories/DRC_dentonfootball_0819.f46a56c4.html |access-date=June 25, 2014 |website=dallasnews.com}} Dozier played shortstop for the baseball team and quarterback in football. His football career was hampered by a broken collarbone in his junior year. He focused on baseball in his senior year of high school having intention to play college baseball.{{Cite web |date=June 6, 2013 |title=Passing on pitcher, Royals select SS Dozier at No. 8 |url=http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20130606&content_id=49836188¬ebook_id=49839946&vkey=notebook_kc&c_id=kc |access-date=June 25, 2014 |website=MLB.com}}

Dozier went on to Stephen F. Austin State University, where he played college baseball for the Stephen F. Austin Lumberjacks baseball team. In 2013, he was named the Southland Conference Player of the Year and a finalist for the Brooks Wallace Award, given annually to the best shortstop in college baseball.{{Cite web |title=SFA's Dozier Named Finalist for Brooks Wallace Award |url=http://www.southland.org/Sports/Baseball/Article/tabid/290/article/11645/SFA-s-Dozier-Named-Finalist-for-Brooks-Wallace-Award.aspx |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130814105708/http://www.southland.org/Sports/Baseball/Article/tabid/290/article/11645/SFA-s-Dozier-Named-Finalist-for-Brooks-Wallace-Award.aspx |archive-date=August 14, 2013 |access-date=July 28, 2013 |website=Southland Conference}}

Professional career

=Kansas City Royals=

The Royals selected Dozier with the eighth overall selection in the 2013 Major League Baseball draft. Dozier signed with the Royals for a $2.2 million signing bonus, below the slot value of $3,117,800 allotted for the pick.{{Cite web |date=June 10, 2013 |title=Kansas City Royals sign first-round pick Hunter Dozier |url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/9363289/kansas-city-royals-sign-first-round-pick-hunter-dozier |access-date=June 12, 2013 |website=ESPN.com|agency=Associated Press}} He reported to the Royals' Arizona League complex before joining the Idaho Falls Chukars of the Rookie-level Pioneer League.{{Cite web |last=Gier |first=Kathleen |date=2013-06-10 |title=Royals ink deal with No. 1 Draft pick Dozier |url=https://www.mlb.com/royals/news/royals-ink-deal-with-no-1-draft-pick-dozier/c-50231114 |access-date=2025-02-13 |website=MLB.com |language=en}} He was promoted to the Lexington Legends of the Single-A South Atlantic League in August. In 69 games between Idaho Falls and Lexington, he batted .308 with seven home runs and 52 RBIs.

Dozier began the 2014 season with the Wilmington Blue Rocks of the High-A Carolina League. On June 18, the Royals promoted him to the Northwest Arkansas Naturals of the Double-A Texas League.{{Cite web |last=Kaegel |first=Dick |date=June 18, 2014 |title=Royals prospect Dozier advances to Double-A |url=http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20140618&content_id=80384794¬ebook_id=80385474&vkey=notebook_kc&c_id=kc |access-date=June 25, 2014 |website=MLB.com}}{{Cite web |last=Grathoff |first=Pete |date=June 21, 2014 |title=Defense of Kansas City Royals' prospect Hunter Dozier impresses his former manager |url=http://www.kansascity.com/sports/mlb/kansas-city-royals/article595807.html |access-date=June 25, 2014 |website=The Kansas City Star}} In 130 games between the two clubs he hit .251 with eight home runs and 60 RBIs. Dozier spent the 2015 season with Northwest Arkansas, compiling a .213 batting average with 12 home runs and 53 RBIs in 128 games.. He returned there to begin the 2016 season before receiving a promotion to the Omaha Storm Chasers of the Triple-A Pacific Coast League in May.{{Cite web |last=Dykstra |first=Sam |date=May 20, 2016 |title=Toolshed: Dozier undaunted by Triple-A: Royals No. 15 prospect promoted from Texas League after corrections |url=https://www.milb.com/news/gcs-179069210 |access-date=July 11, 2016 |website=Minor League Baseball}} Dozier appeared in the 2016 All-Star Futures Game.{{Cite web |last=Dodd |first=Rustin |date=July 10, 2016 |title=MLB Futures Game: Royals' Hunter Dozier has rehabilitated his prospect stock with breakout season |url=http://www.kansascity.com/sports/mlb/kansas-city-royals/article88826537.html |access-date=July 11, 2016 |website=The Kansas City Star}} In 129 games between Northwest Arkansas and Omaha, he slashed .296/.366/.533 with 23 home runs and 75 RBIs.{{Cite web |title=Hunter Dozier Stats, Highlights, Bio - MiLB.com Stats - The Official Site of Minor League Baseball |url=https://www.milb.com/player/hunter-dozier-641531 |access-date=June 22, 2018 |publisher=Minor League Baseball}}

File:Hunter Dozier 2019 (2).jpg

The Royals promoted Dozier to the major leagues on September 2, 2016.{{Cite web |last=Boone |first=Tony |date=September 2, 2016 |title=Promotion to Royals a 'dream come true' for Hunter Dozier |url=http://www.omaha.com/sports/chasers/promotion-to-royals-a-dream-come-true-for-hunter-dozier/article_601c9ff2-713d-11e6-ad3c-8778c9bb6bf3.html |access-date=September 2, 2016 |website=Omaha World-Herald}} He made his major league debut on September 12.{{Cite web |last=Dodd |first=Rustin |date=2016-09-12 |title=Rookie Hunter Dozier finally makes his big-league debut for Royals |url=https://www.kansascity.com/sports/mlb/kansas-city-royals/article101478767.html |access-date=2024-09-16 |website=Kansas City Star}} He recorded his first major league hit on September 16.{{Cite web |last=Doddrdodd |first=Rustin |date=September 16, 2016 |title=Watch Kansas City Royals rookie Hunter Dozier's first hit | The Kansas City Star |url=http://www.kansascity.com/sports/mlb/kansas-city-royals/article102200012.html |access-date=November 6, 2017 |publisher=Kansascity.com}} Dozier began the 2017 season with Omaha. He missed the beginning of the season with a strained oblique muscle, and after playing in ten games, broke the hamate bone in his wrist in June.{{Cite web |last=Doddrdodd |first=Rustin |date=June 11, 2017 |title=Royals' Hunter Dozier on the disabled list with broken wrist | The Kansas City Star |url=http://www.kansascity.com/sports/mlb/kansas-city-royals/article155591394.html |access-date=November 6, 2017 |publisher=Kansascity.com}} He played a total of 33 games in the minor league regular season, and was not called up to the major leagues as a part of their September call-ups.{{Cite web |last=Dodd |first=Rustin |date=September 18, 2017 |title=KC Royals Q&A: 2018 rotation, Hunter Dozier, Jarrod Dyson | The Kansas City Star |url=http://www.kansascity.com/sports/spt-columns-blogs/k-zone/article174050486.html |access-date=November 6, 2017 |publisher=Kansascity.com}} After the regular season, he played for the Naranjeros de Hermosillo in the Mexican Pacific League.{{Cite web |last=Torres |first=Maria |date=October 18, 2017 |title=Where KC Royals are playing winter ball 2017-18 | The Kansas City Star |url=http://www.kansascity.com/sports/mlb/kansas-city-royals/article179615851.html |access-date=November 6, 2017 |publisher=Kansascity.com}} Dozier began 2018 with Omaha and was recalled by Kansas City on May 14. In 2019, Dozier hit .279 with 26 home runs and 84 RBIs in 139 games. On July 22, 2020, it was announced that Dozier had tested positive for COVID-19.{{cite web|url=https://www.kmbc.com/article/kansas-city-royals-hunter-dozier-tests-positive-for-covid-19-coronavirus/33392393#|title=Kansas City Royals' infielder/outfielder Hunter Dozier tests positive for COVID-19|date=July 22, 2020|work=KMBC-TV}} Overall with the 2020 Kansas City Royals, Dozier batted .228 with six home runs and 12 RBIs in 44 games.{{cite web| url = https://www.mlb.com/player/hunter-dozier-641531?stats=career-r-hitting-mlb&year=2020| title = Hunter Dozier Stats, Fantasy & News {{!}} Kansas City Royals| website = MLB.com}}

On February 28, 2021, Dozier and the Royals agreed to a four-year, $25 million contract extension with a $10 million option for the 2025 season.{{cite web| url = https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2021/02/royals-hunter-dozier-finalizing-four-year-extension.html| url-status = dead| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20210228150002/https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2021/02/royals-hunter-dozier-finalizing-four-year-extension.html| archive-date = 2021-02-28| title = Royals, Hunter Dozier Finalizing Four-Year Extension - MLB Trade Rumors}} On May 14, 2021, Dozier was involved in a collision with Chicago White Sox first basemen José Abreu after Dozier hit a popup and collided with Abreu along the first base line. Both Dozier and Abreu left the game, and while Abreu returned to play the next day, Dozier was placed on the seven-day injured list.{{cite web | last=Herrera | first=Ryan | title=José Abreu, Hunter Dozier exit after collision | website=MLB.com | date=2021-05-14 | url=https://www.mlb.com/news/jose-abreu-hunter-dozier-exit-after-collision | access-date=2024-09-16}} Playing in a career-high 144 games, Dozier underwhelmed, hitting .216/.285/.394 with 16 home runs and 54 RBIs.{{Cite web|title=Hunter Dozier's Leash May Be Much Shorter Heading Into 2022|url=https://www.si.com/mlb/royals/opinion/kc-royals-hunter-doziers-leash-may-be-much-shorter-heading-into-2022|access-date=2023-05-22|website=si.com|date=October 9, 2021 |language=en}}

Dozier was one of ten Royals placed on the restricted list prior to a four-day road trip to play the Toronto Blue Jays in July 2022 because he was not vaccinated against COVID-19. Dozier said, "me personally, I don’t do any vaccines. I live a healthy lifestyle. I eat healthy, I work out. I want my body to naturally fight stuff off. I’m not against vaccines, so it’s just a personal preference. I’m not judging anyone who wanted to get it or who didn’t want to get it."{{cite web | url=https://www.mlb.com/royals/news/royals-roster-changes-for-toronto-series | title=Royals place 10 players on restricted list ahead of Toronto trip | website=MLB.com }} Dozier played in 128 games for the Royals in 2022, hitting .236/.292/.387 with 12 home runs and 41 RBIs.{{Cite web|title=It's Time to End Hunter Dozier's Tenure With the Royals|url=https://www.si.com/mlb/royals/opinion/its-time-to-end-hunter-doziers-tenure-with-the-kansas-city-royals|access-date=2023-05-22|website=si.com|date=August 21, 2022 |language=en}}

In 2023, Dozier played in 29 games, batting .183/.253/.305 with two home runs and nine RBIs.{{Cite web|title=Royals designate respected vet Dozier for assignment|url=https://www.mlb.com/news/hunter-dozier-designated-for-assignment|access-date=2023-05-22|website=mlb.com|language=en}} On May 22, 2023, the Royals designated Dozier for assignment.{{Cite web|title=Royals' Hunter Dozier: Designated for assignment|url=https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/baseball/news/royals-hunter-dozier-designated-for-assignment/|access-date=2023-05-22|website=cbssports.com|date=May 22, 2023 |language=en}} On May 27, Dozier was released by Kansas City, with the Royals still owing him over $16 million from his 2021 extension.{{Cite web|title=Royals release 3B/OF Hunter Dozier, still owe over $16M|url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/37742242/royals-release-3b-hunter-dozier-owe-16m|access-date=2023-05-27|website=ESPN|date=May 27, 2023 |language=en}}

=Los Angeles Angels=

On January 18, 2024, Dozier signed a minor league contract with the Los Angeles Angels.{{Cite web |last= |title=Hunter Dozier {{!}} MLB Contracts & Salaries |url=https://www.spotrac.com/mlb/player/_/id/21040/hunter-dozier |access-date=2025-02-13 |website=Spotrac |language=}} In 48 games for the Triple-A Salt Lake Bees, he hit .222/.268/.394 with seven home runs and 38 RBI. On June 2, Dozier was released by the Angels organization.{{cite web | url=https://www.milb.com/transactions/2024-06-02 | title=Transactions }}

Personal life

Dozier and his wife, Amanda, have three children.{{cite web| url = https://www.kansascity.com/sports/mlb/kansas-city-royals/article231621198.html| url-status = dead| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20190617125014/https://www.kansascity.com/sports/mlb/kansas-city-royals/article231621198.html| archive-date = 2019-06-17| title = Royals to send Hunter Dozier on rehab assignment {{!}} The Kansas City Star}}{{cite web | title=Kansas City Royals Hunter Dozier and wife reveal gender of new baby on Instagram | website=FOX 4 Kansas City WDAF-TV | date=2018-12-31 | url=https://fox4kc.com/news/kansas-city-royals-hunter-dozier-reveals-gender-of-new-baby-on-instagram/ | access-date=2024-09-16}}{{cite web | last=Schmidt | first=Heidi | title=Royals Hunter Dozier shows off new baby in family picture | website=FOX 4 Kansas City WDAF-TV | date=2022-08-17 | url=https://fox4kc.com/sports/royals-hunter-dozier-shows-off-new-baby-in-family-picture/amp/ | access-date=2024-09-16}}