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Detroit Tigers promote catcher Dillon Dingler for MLB debut after Carson Kelly trade
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- Detroit Tigers promote catcher Dillon Dingler for MLB debut after Carson Kelly trade
There's a new catcher in town.
The Detroit Tigers are calling up catcher Dillon Dingler from Triple-A Toledo for his MLB debut, according to multiple sources not authorized to discuss roster moves publicly.
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Dingler, already a member of the 40-man roster, will be activated for Monday's series opener against the Cleveland Guardians at Comerica Park. Trading catcher Carson Kelly , an impending free agent, to the Texas Rangers for a pair of minor leaguers opened the door for Dingler's promotion to the Tigers.
The catching tandem is now Dingler and Jake Rogers .
THE OFFSEASON: Tigers catcher Dillon Dingler's glove is MLB-ready. His bat, however, needs work
Dingler, the No. 38 overall pick in the 2020 draft out of Ohio State, is the third Tigers pick from his draft class to be called up, following first-rounder Spencer Torkelson and fifth-rounder Colt Keith .
Detroit Tigers catcher Dillon Dingler practices during spring training at Joker Marchant Stadium in Lakeland, Florida, on Thursday, Feb. 22, 2024.
Dingler, who turns 26 in mid-September, hit .308 with 17 home runs, 30 walks and 61 strikeouts across 71 games this season with Triple-A Toledo, posting a .938 OPS.
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Dingler was on a heater for the Mud Hens in his last 22 games before the Tigers called him to Detroit, hitting .368 with nine homers and a 1.181 OPS. That included a .396 run with seven homers and a 1.360 OPS in his final 13 games.
THE TRADE: Tigers trade C Carson Kelly to Rangers, opening spot for Dillon Dingler
The breakthrough on offense stands out, but Dingler is considered a defense-first catcher because of his game-calling expertise. For years, pitchers have raved about their trust in throwing to Dingler, including top pitching prospect Jackson Jobe . He also features one of the best arms among all catchers in the minor leagues, which helps him control the running game.
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In 2024, Dingler has developed as a hitter.
He is making better swing decisions and making more contact while continuing to hit the ball hard.
Here are the Triple-A numbers: Dingler hit .261 (with a .237 expected batting average) and a 29.8% whiff rate in 26 games in 2023, but in 2024, he hit .308 (with a .301 expected batting average) and a 25.3% whiff rate in 71 games. His whiff rate against sliders improved from 47.1% in 2023 to 28.3% in 2024.
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Dingler, though, could be tested by high-velocity fastballs. He hit just .154 without any power against fastballs at the Triple-A level that registered at least 95 mph on the radar gun.
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The bat is bound to go through ups and downs in the big leagues, but the Tigers expect Dingler to be solid behind the plate regardless of what happens when he's at the plate.
Anthony Bemboom , a 34-year-old journeyman, will remain in Triple-A Toledo, providing depth at the catcher position in case of an injury to Rogers or Dingler in the final two months. Bemboom has played 82 MLB games in parts of five seasons.
Contact Evan Petzold at epetzold@freepress.com or follow him @EvanPetzold .
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This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Dillon Dingler called up by Detroit Tigers after Carson Kelly trade
