The Detroit Tigers have officially revealed their catching plan for the 2025 season, and it will feature Jake Rogers and Dillon Dingler as the primary tandem behind the plate. According to Scott Harris, the Tigers’ president of baseball operations, this duo compares favorably to most catching tandems in the league, both defensively and offensively.
A Defensive Duo to Rival the Best
Harris praised the pair for their skills in all areas of catching. “I think Jake and Ding compare very favorably to most catching tandems in the league from a blocking, framing, throwing, game-calling standpoint,” Harris said as quoted by MLive. “Defensively, I think they’re as good as, if not better than most of the catching tandems around the league.” Both Rogers and Dingler have the tools to excel behind the plate, with solid fundamentals in every aspect of their defense.
Offensive Potential with Big Power
While the Tigers’ catching tandem brings strong defense to the table, Harris also highlighted their offensive potential. “Offensively, they both can change the score with one swing, which is something you can’t really find at that position very regularly,” he added. Both players have the ability to provide pop in the lineup, which will be crucial for the Tigers' offensive production in 2025.
Dingler’s Growth in 2024
Dillon Dingler, in particular, had a rough start to his major league career in 2024. In 87 plate appearances, he struggled with a .167 batting average, 30 strikeouts, and just three walks. However, Harris was understanding of Dingler’s challenges. “Ding’s performance from Triple-A didn’t quite translate to the big leagues,” Harris acknowledged. “However, we threw a lot at him. He came up suddenly in the middle of the season and had to manage a major league staff, call a major league game, handle major league stuff behind the plate and hit the best pitching he’s ever seen before in his life.”
A Strong Offseason for Dingler
Despite his struggles, Harris is optimistic about Dingler’s future. He believes that the experience gained in 2024 will benefit Dingler in the long term, allowing him to make adjustments over the offseason. Tigers manager A.J. Hinch echoed these sentiments, stating that Dingler has a history of overcoming early struggles at new levels. “I’m looking forward to spring for him because it’s the first spring he’s going to come in…with that familiarity,” Hinch said. “And he’s always responded favorably to those challenges at every level.”
2025: A Fresh Start for the Tigers' Catching Duo
Heading into 2025, both Rogers and Dingler will be expected to carry the load for the Tigers behind the plate, and with the progress they’ve shown defensively and the potential they possess offensively, Detroit fans can look forward to an exciting catching tandem that could be one of the best in the league. The future is bright for the Tigers as they head into the 2025 season, with their young, talented catching duo leading the charge behind the plate.
