Spring training is on the horizon, and a new year for baseball is set to get underway. For the Detroit Tigers, 2024 is a year in which they hope the young ballplayers they have spent years developing will help carry them to their first division title in ten years. Although the Tigers are a young team except for a few veteran pieces, they can benefit from a weak AL Central, and if some of their young ballplayers take a step forward in their game, they can finally get back in the postseason.
One position the Tigers haven’t improved this off-season that I expected them to is catcher. The Tigers catchers will see a lot of new pitchers when spring training gets underway in February, as depth at starting pitching was the top priority for Scott Harris this off-season. Detroit didn’t make much of an effort to improve their batting order in 2024. Early on, they traded with the Brewers to acquire Mark Canha. That’s the only player who wasn’t part of the organization we expect to see in the lineup in 2024.
Jake Rodgers had a great season coming back from major elbow surgery that had him sidelined since 2021. It would appear that the Tigers have finally found a catcher who can consistently contribute to the team. The Tigers haven’t been able to say that since James McCann moved on. After McCann went elsewhere, the Tigers had a lot of swings and misses trying to replace him. There were internal replacements like Grayson Greiner and John Hicks, who fell well short, and there were free-agent misses like Austin Romine and Tucker Barnhart. Then, a hometown hero came along and instilled hope in Tigers fans that he could be the primary catcher they have been looking for.
Eric Haase, a Michigan native, caught two no-hitters for the Tigers and had a great season at the plate in 2021 and a solid season at the plate in 2022. Unfortunately, Haase’s offensive struggles at the plate last season were too much to overcome, and the Tigers decided to let him go in the middle of the 2023 season back in August.
With Jake Rodgers looking like the primary catcher Detroit has been searching for, the question is, who fills the number two spot at catcher for Detroit? It’s no secret that, ideally, every team would like two solid catchers on their MLB roster. That’s a tough position to play, and obviously, with the workload of playing catcher, it is not a position where you’ll see an everyday player. Throughout spring training, figuring out who will take that second spot at catcher on the depth chart will be fun to watch. One catcher stands out as a prospect who can be a key player for the Tigers in 2024.
Dillon Dingler’s battle for a roster spot in spring training
The Detroit Tigers drafted Dillon Dingler in the second round of the 2020 MLB Draft. Dingler played high school baseball at Jackson HS in Massillon, Ohio. Dingler played for Ohio State and was drafted after three seasons there. Dingler slashed .276/.367/.443 in his collegiate career and had 37 extra-base hits, 12 home runs, and 50 RBIs. Dingler’s biggest struggle throughout his journey of trying to reach the major leagues has been battling injuries. He should feel very optimistic about making it to the MLB roster in 2024, maybe even on the opening day roster, if he can stay healthy and have a great spring training campaign. Dingler has spent time at every level of the Tigers’ farm system. He’s played for Lakeland, West Michigan, Erie, and Toledo. In his minor league career, Dingler has slashed 244/.335/.434 with 104 extra-base hits, 42 home runs, and 162 RBIs.
If Dingler makes the Opening Day roster, he must beat veteran catcher Carson Kelly for the second spot on the depth chart at the catching position. Kelly was brought in after Haase was let go in August. In 18 games with the Tigers, Kelly slashed 173/.271./269 with just three extra-base hits, one long ball, and seven RBIs. Obviously, it’s not very exciting numbers. The front office and coaching staff are undoubtedly hoping that the best option to play behind Rodgers presents itself in spring training. If he can have a great spring camp, Dingler could be that option for Detroit. The 25-year-old prospect is one of the players you should keep a very close eye on in spring training.
