Tigers' overlooked young slugger propels Detroit to first win of 2025

The 2020 MLB Draft has yielded extremely positive returns for the Detroit Tigers. Not only did they get the slugging Spencer Torkelson at No. 1 overall; they also snagged Colt Keith, who quickly became a core piece of their infield picture, in the fifth and final round.

Between Torkelson and Keith, however, the Tigers also drafted Dillon Dingler – the oft-overlooked second-rounder who seemingly got lost in the shuffle amid his counterparts' meteoric ascent to the big leagues.

Until now, that is.

Tigers have overlooked slugging prospect Dillon Dingler emerging early in 2025 with MLB roster

Dingler made his Major League debut on July 29, 2024, after the Tigers traded Carson Kelly to the Texas Rangers at the deadline. At the time, the Tigers were 52-56; but Dingler's arrival happened to coincide with Detroit's late-season surge into a playoff spot.

Admittedly, Dingler struggled at the plate in his first taste of Major League action, slashing .167/.195/.310 in 84 at-bats last season. However, that's pretty much par for the course in his development journey. Every one of Dingler's promotions through the Tigers' farm system has been followed by an immediate dip in offensive production before a subsequent improvement the following season. He just needs a little more time to adjust at each level – and his early performance in 2025 appears to follow that same pattern.

In an admittedly small sample size of 11 at-bats, Dingler has done nothing but rake at the Major League level this year. He's already got five hits, including a home run and a triple in the same game Friday against the Los Angeles Dodgers, and is slashing .455/.455/.909. It's still early, but he looks like a far cry from the struggling rookie who hit .167 in 27 at-bats last year.

On Monday night, he helped the Tigers to their first win of the season over the Seattle Mariners when he went 3-for-5 with two runs scored an two RBI in the 9-6 triumph.

Four games into the 2025 season, Dingler and Jake Rogers have been alternating starts behind the plate each day. While the two are splitting starting catcher duties evenly for the time being, it's possible that one emerges as the Tigers' true No. 1 catcher – and if Dingler's bat stays this hot, Detroit will have no choice but to keep him in the lineup as much as possible.

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