Royals 2013 First Round Pick Hunter Dozier Promoted to Lexington

The Royals just announced that 2013 first round pick Hunter Dozier has been promoted from Rookie level Idaho Falls to Low A Lexington.

Dozier was categorized as a reach after the Royals took him eighth overall, but so far in early pro action, he’s simply produced. In 224 plate appearances, he’s hit .293/.397/.505 with six homers. He’s hit five doubles and two homers in August alone in ten games and for the year, he’s walked more than he’s struck out.

Despite some thought that Dozier might stick in Idaho Falls all year, he’s making the move, and really, he has little else to show at this level. He’ll turn 22 later this month and may as well get some time at a more challenging level to see what he may be able to do. That also sets him up for a likely 2014 start in Lexington with the potential to land in Wilmington shortly after if he makes a quick adjustment to the league.

I should also point out that Shawn Rebman of the Pine Tar Press blog was connecting the dots on this move last night after seeing that Mauricio Ramos had been sent to play third for Idaho Falls.

There’s some data to suggest that Dozier may be able to adjust quickly. In his time in the Pioneer League, he’s hit well against younger pitchers, but also against older pitchers with no drastic split. That hints to me that he may be able to see quick results in a tougher league against pitchers who’ve already spent some time at the pro level and advanced through rookie ball. (But then, there are always some older pitchers hanging around still trying to make it at those levels but won’t ever have the talent to go further, so it’s not definitive, and there’s a small sample size to keep in mind too.)

Dozier signed a $2.2 million bonus with the Royals days after being selected in the draft.