Hunter Dozier

Hunter William Dozier (born August 22, 1991) is an American professional baseball third baseman and outfielder for the Kansas City Royals of Major League Baseball (MLB). The Royals selected Dozier in the first round of the 2013 Major League Baseball draft out of Stephen F. Austin State University.

Dozier attended Denton High School in Denton, Texas, where he played for the school's baseball and American football teams; 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.

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.

The Royals selected Dozier with the eighth overall selection in the 2013 MLB 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. He reported to the Royals' Arizona League complex before joining the Idaho Falls Chukars of the Rookie-level Pioneer League.

Dozier began the 2014 season with the Wilmington Blue Rocks of the Class A-Advanced Carolina League. On June 18, the Royals promoted him to the Northwest Arkansas Naturals of the Class AA Texas League. Dozier spent the 2015 season with Northwest Arkansas. He returned there to begin the 2016 season, before receiving a promotion to the Omaha Storm Chasers of the Class AAA Pacific Coast League in May. Dozier appeared in the 2016 All-Star Futures Game.

The Royals promoted Dozier to the major leagues on September 2, 2016. He made his major league debut on September 12. He recorded his first major league hit on September 16.