National media is beginning to recognize star Tigers player amid breakout season

Gone are the days of the Riley Greene-Spencer Torkelson-Kerry Carpenter three-headed dragon. 2026 is all about Greene, Kevin McGonigle, and Dillon Dingler.

Even during one of the Tigers' worst months in recent memory, Greene, McGonigle, and Dingler were still hitting the ball. The former two were more reliable, consistent on-base presences, but Dingler was slugging when the rest of the offense wasn't. He picked up six homers, two doubles, and 14 RBI in May.

While Gleyber Torres and Kerry Carpenter's returns certainly gave the Tigers a boost they needed to outscore the Rays 25-11 in this week's sweep, it was Dingler leading the offensive charge. He went 4-for-5 with two homers and four RBI in the opener, picked up an RBI sac fly in the second game, and then went 2-for-4 with another homer and four RBI in the finale.

Tigers fans know how good he's been this year, even when everything else about the team is awful, and national outlets are finally starting to take notice. After Dingler's two-homer Monday, MLB Network dedicated a breakdown to his performance on both sides of the plate.

Dillon Dingler's brilliance with Tigers is finally breaking containment and earning well-deserved attention

Through his first 56 games, Dingler leads all major league catchers in fWAR at 2.5. AJ Hinch has had him hitting second or third since mid-May and occasionally DH'ing on his days off from behind the plate because his bat is that important. As much as Hinch loves his matchups, he hasn't pinch-hit for Dingler yet this season.

The Tigers called him up too late for him to be eligible for Rookie of the Year consideration in 2024 and too early for eligibility in 2025, which has always been and will continue to be a crying shame. Although he probably still would've lost to Nick Kurtz if he'd been eligible last year, his 4.1 fWAR, Gold Glove-winning season still deserved more recognition.

At least everyone is finally starting to catch up now — and right when All-Star voting has opened.

Dingler leads all AL catchers in RBI with 43 and is tied with Shea Langeliers in homers at 14. He leads all qualified catchers in net ABS overturns and is a 97th percentile catcher in fielding run value.

If he keeps this up, this guy is the Tigers' next extension candidate, but for now we'll settle for his first All-Star appearance. Let's get him to Philly.

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