There have been some surprise revelations so far in the 2025 campaign along the way for both Tigers’ fans and the coaching staff. Rookie catcher Dillon Dingler has shown to be a steady hand to both the Tigers’ defense and offense since he assumed the starting catcher’s role in April of this year, filling a spot left open due to an injured list stint for catcher Jake Rogers. In that time, Dingler has shown signs of being a steady hand, capable of calling a game with the best pitcher in the game, learning on the fly with Tarik Skubal.
Even when Rogers returned from the IL, Dingler was still penciled in as the starting catcher, having earned his spot in the everyday lineup due to his hitting and improving defensive prowess.
This year’s Detroit Tigers are a textbook example of a team being the sum of their parts, especially when they are all working in synch. The Tigers have a surprising amount of team depth on their roster currently, with guys like Zack McKinstry and Javier Baez plugging holes defensively while providing timely hitting, as well as their typical power guys like Kerry Carpenter, Spencer Torkelson, and Riley Greene providing the power, the three collectively leading the team in home runs.
Dingler did not see much action in 2024, only playing in 27 games. The former second-round pick out of Ohio State made his Major League debut on July 29th of that season. His debut coincided with the Tigers’ postseason push as his defensive capabilities became a stable force in the pitching chaos that led the team to the Divisional Round.
However, despite his impressive defense in the limited time he saw action, his offensive numbers were paltry at best. Dingler hit for an average of .167 in 84 at-bats, with a .310 slugging percentage. His performances at the plate needed improvement in the offseason.
His defensive numbers are okay, having caught 12 runners stealing out of 32 attempts, similar to those of his battery mate, Rogers. However, he showed flashes of having an absolute cannon, as seen last Friday against the Cubs.
Again, there can be some leeway for growth in all aspects of his game, as he is still a rookie, but the reasons he is in the lineup are due to his other defensive abilities. He has also shown good awareness in this assist to McKinstry, in an insane defensive effort against the White Sox last week.
Currently, Dillon Dingler sits at 11 blocks amongst average this season, which is leading all Major League catchers by over six in that category. He currently stands to have the best blocking season in the last seven years, dating back to 2018. Not only has his blocking been the best in the Majors this season, his ability to work with a various core of starting pitching from Tarik Skubal and Jackson Jobe, all the way to the relief guys like Tommy Kahnle and Will Vest, Dingler has shown himself a steady presence calling games and helping his team to a Major League best 43 wins and counting.
Dillon Dingler is currently one of the best catchers in Major League Baseball, sitting amongst a bevy of good, young catching talent. And while he may not have the power numbers like a Cal Raleigh, he currently is second amongst catchers in batting average, sitting behind Blue Jays catcher Alejandro Kirk.
He has the numbers and the ability to be among some of baseball’s elite come mid-July. Only in his rookie campaign, Dingler has time to get better as the season progresses, and the experience he will gain from a deep postseason push by this year’s Detroit Tigers will only benefit him in the long term.
With all of that said, there are a lot of players on this current Tigers’ team who are deserving to go to Atlanta during the break. There are none more deserving than Dillon Dingler, and he should be allowed to showcase his abilities on the national stage.
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