Former Buckeye Dillon Dingler Flourishing as Detroit Tigers’ Starting Catcher During Breakout Major League Baseball Season in 2025

Dillon Dingler’s journey from the campus of Ohio State to becoming the everyday starting catcher for the Detroit Tigers has been one marked by resilience, patience, and perseverance. After years of grinding through the minor league ranks and battling setbacks, the former Buckeye standout is finally showing the baseball world what he’s capable of — and he’s doing it in a city that craves both grit and growth.

Now firmly entrenched as the Tigers’ starting backstop, Dingler has become one of the team’s most consistent performers during the 2025 MLB season. His combination of offensive production, defensive poise, and quiet leadership behind the plate has made him not just a fixture in the lineup, but also a symbol of the club’s ongoing youth movement — one that has Detroit fans daring to dream again.

From Columbus to Comerica

Dingler’s roots trace back to Massillon, Ohio, where he was a multi-sport athlete before committing to play baseball at Ohio State. Initially recruited as an outfielder, he transitioned to catcher early in his Buckeye career, a move that would eventually prove pivotal. His strong arm and athleticism allowed him to adapt quickly to the position, and by the time he left Columbus, he was widely regarded as one of the best collegiate catchers in the country.

The Tigers selected Dingler in the second round of the 2020 MLB Draft, viewing him as a cornerstone prospect. His ascension through the farm system wasn’t always smooth — injuries slowed his progression, and a logjam of catching prospects in Detroit’s pipeline at times made his path unclear. But Dingler’s steady work ethic and determination to improve never wavered.

Fast forward to 2025, and the former Buckeye is not only in the big leagues — he’s making a name for himself as one of the league’s breakout players at a position where elite two-way talent is rare.

Offensive Emergence

Dingler entered the season with modest expectations from most outside the organization. The Tigers’ fan base, hungry for a resurgence, had been looking at top prospects like Max Clark and Colt Keith to ignite the offense. But it’s Dingler who has emerged as one of the steadiest bats in the lineup, slashing .281/.345/.463 through mid-June with seven home runs and 28 RBIs.

He’s shown a keen eye at the plate, with an improved walk rate and fewer strikeouts than in years past. While Dingler doesn’t bring the same raw power as some of the league’s elite sluggers, his gap-to-gap approach and ability to drive in runs in clutch moments have made him a key offensive contributor.

“I’ve been focused on simplifying everything,” Dingler said recently in a postgame interview. “Not trying to do too much. Just trusting my swing, trusting the approach. I know the work I’ve put in, and it’s starting to show.”

His performance has validated the faith that Detroit’s front office had in him from the beginning — that when healthy and given an opportunity, he could thrive.

Defensive Prowess

As impressive as his offensive numbers have been, it’s Dingler’s defensive presence that has truly anchored the Tigers’ young pitching staff. With a catcher’s ERA under 3.70 and one of the top caught-stealing rates in the American League, Dingler has earned praise from both teammates and coaches for his game-calling, blocking, and leadership behind the dish.

Tigers manager A.J. Hinch, a former catcher himself, has been effusive in his praise of Dingler’s development.

“Dillon brings stability back there,” Hinch said. “He’s earned the trust of our pitchers, and that’s huge. They know he’s going to work with them, adapt with them, and give them a chance every inning. He’s a student of the game — always asking questions, always prepared. You can’t ask for more from a young catcher.”

Several of Detroit’s young arms — including starters Jackson Jobe and Wilmer Flores — have credited Dingler with helping them grow more comfortable on the mound, citing his calm demeanor and advanced understanding of hitters’ tendencies.

Leadership and Intangibles

It’s easy to measure home runs, batting average, and defensive stats. What’s harder to quantify — but equally important — is Dingler’s growing role as a clubhouse leader. Despite being one of the newer full-time players on the roster, Dingler’s no-nonsense, team-first attitude has made him a respected presence in the dugout.

Veteran players have remarked on his maturity and humility, noting how Dingler has taken time to learn from everyone — from star pitchers to utility players. He’s not loud, and he doesn’t seek the spotlight. But when the game is on the line or a pitcher needs a quick reset during a rough inning, Dingler is often the one who takes charge.

His college coach at Ohio State, Greg Beals, once said, “Dillon is the kind of guy every team wants. He doesn’t just want to be good — he wants to make everyone around him better.” That ethos has carried through to his time in Detroit.

A Bright Future in Motown

With the 2025 season approaching its midpoint, Dingler’s presence is one of the bright spots in a Tigers campaign that has exceeded early expectations. Detroit entered the season considered a fringe playoff contender at best, but solid starting pitching, a cohesive young core, and players like Dingler stepping up have kept them in the thick of the AL Central race.

While there’s still a long way to go, the idea that Dingler could be a long-term solution at catcher for Detroit is no longer a projection — it’s a reality. The Tigers have struggled to find consistent production at the position in recent years, and now they appear to have a foundation piece in Dingler — one who brings both the tools and the mentality needed to succeed at the highest level.

General Manager Scott Harris recently hinted at the front office’s belief in Dingler as part of their future plans.

“We’ve always been high on Dillon,” Harris said. “He’s taken the hard road here, and that resilience has shaped who he is today. We believe he’s just scratching the surface.”

Looking Ahead

There will be challenges ahead. The American League is stacked with talented teams and elite catchers, and Dingler will need to continue adjusting as pitchers and scouting reports adapt to him. But all signs point to a player who’s more than capable of making those adjustments.

His evolution this season has been a reminder of the value of player development, patience, and belief — both from the organization and from the player himself. Dingler didn’t arrive in the big leagues as a can’t-miss prospect with headlines and hype. But he’s becoming exactly what every team hopes to find: a dependable, driven, team-oriented catcher who can impact the game on both sides of the ball.

For now, Dingler is taking it all in stride.

“I’m grateful for the opportunity,” he said. “This game doesn’t owe you anything. You’ve got to earn it every day. I just want to keep doing what I can to help this team win — that’s all that matters.”

And in Detroit — a city built on work ethic, loyalty, and resilience — that mindset fits perfectly. The former Buckeye is no longer just a promising prospect. He’s the starting catcher for the Detroit Tigers — and he’s here to stay.