Detroit Tigers Best Power Tools: Honorable Mention

Dillon Dingler – C
For the first two months of the season Dillon Dingler looked like one of the steals of the 2020 MLB Draft. Through 32 games in High-A West Michigan and his first 12 outings with Double-A Erie, Dingler hit .287 with 9 home runs and 20 extra-base hits, which was good for a .251 ISO. But then the floor caved in, and he batted just .189 with a .081 ISO over his final 41 games. At his best, Dingler shows above-average game power and the ability to go out to all fields. That dramatic second-half swoon was most likely the result of injury and the rigors of being a regular catcher, but it was enough to keep him out of the top five this year.
I'll say it. Dillon Dingler is a DUDE.
— Dan Hasty (@ThatDanHasty) June 4, 2021
I'm fairly certain he hit this grand slam so far, it went into the future...
Alright, fine. Just 445 feet. pic.twitter.com/SrafVxPE1E
Reynaldo Rivera – DH/1B
If we only cared about raw power then Rey Rivera would be near the top of this list. He’s a massive human (listed at 6’6, 250) with equally massive pop, and when he connects the ball goes a very long way. Rivera hit 21 home runs in just 95 games, and in the process he tied the record for the most home runs in a season by a West Michigan hitter, and broke the record for the most career homers in a Whitecaps uniform. Unfortunately, Rivera hit just .207 last year, struck out in 37% of his plate appearances, and doesn’t add any defensive value. The door isn’t completely closed on him, but it’s unlikely Rivera makes much of an impact at higher levels.
106 exit velocity off the bat of Rey Rivera 💣💣 pic.twitter.com/WcdZahkPLj
— Tigers Minor League Report (@tigersMLreport) July 28, 2021