Dozier adjusts well in first Minors campaign

KANSAS CITY -- For shortstop Hunter Dozier, the Royals' first-round pick in the 2013 First-Year Player Draft, his first season was all about transitions.

Not only did he have to make a quick adjustment to Minor League life with Rookie-Advanced Idaho Falls, but Dozier also earned an early promotion to Class A Lexington.

"There's always an adjustment period and I faced that at the beginning of the year," Dozier said. "Once I settled down and started playing ball like I knew how to, everything slowed down."

Dozier, the Royals' No. 7 prospect, according to MLB.com, finished his first season of professional baseball with a .308 average, 30 doubles, seven homers and 52 RBIs in 69 games.

After spending 15 games in Lexington, he returned to Idaho Falls for its postseason run, which paid off with a Pioneer League championship.

"I was glad to come back, make the playoff run and win the whole thing," Dozier said. "It was a great way to finish off my first year."

After a brief break, Dozier will report to Arizona for advanced instructional league.