Detroit Tigers: 3 prospects who will not make their debut in Detroit

#2: Detroit Tigers catching prospect Dillon Dingler

The next prospect on this list was hard for me to come to grips with, but I have a hunch that Dillon Dingler might be on the trade block. It sucks, as I was really high on Dillon Dingler and his tools, but part of me feels like the Detroit Tigers might move on from him.

It’s not a move I would love, but it’s understandable. The Tigers’ backstops have been questionable, with Tucker Barnhart failing to live up to expectations and Eric Haase not being a true option for an everyday starter.

The Tigers still have yet to find their everyday backstop, and the hope was that Dingler would be that guy. The second-round pick from the 2020 draft came from Ohio State and has been working his way through the organization.

He was the insurance policy if Jake Rogers never panned out, and he has been away from the field recovering from Tommy John Surgery. But Dingler has taken his time getting through the Tigers farm system.

He spent the 2022 season with the Double-A Erie Seawolves, besides a four-game stint with the Lakeland Flying Tigers. Dingler hit .238/.333/.419 with 22 doubles, three triples, and 14 home runs in Double-A during the 2022 season. Dingler also threw out 37% of runners attempting to swipe a bag against him this summer.

The Tigers do not currently have another answer for the catching position. Josh Crouch had quite the summer after being drafted, but the former 11th-rounder does not have the pedigree to be a future all-star but is an intriguing name to follow.

Dingler’s days may be numbered with the Tigers if Harris is opting to outsource the catcher’s position and bring in someone from the outside. It sucks to say, but all of the team’s prospects are likely on the table as Harris begins to construct the team he wants and the farm system he views as valuable for the future.