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As Major League Baseball prepares to finalize its All-Star rosters, Detroit Tigers manager A.J. Hinch believes one decision should already be settled.
During an appearance Wednesday on 97.1 The Ticket, Hinch left little room for debate when discussing catcher Dillon Dingler, who has emerged as one of the most valuable players in baseball during the first half of the season.
“If Dillon Dingler’s not an All Star, then we should cancel the game,” Hinch said. “I really believe that. He’s the best catcher in the game right now.”
While the comment was delivered with Hinch’s trademark sense of humor, the message behind it was unmistakable. The Tigers skipper believes Dingler’s performance has earned him a trip to Philadelphia for this month’s Midsummer Classic.
Detroit has relied heavily on Dingler’s consistency throughout the season, and the numbers illustrate why.
Entering Wednesday, the 26-year-old led all Major League catchers with a 3.8 FanGraphs Wins Above Replacement, placing him among the most valuable position players in the sport regardless of position.
His offensive production has been just as impressive. Dingler owns a .264 batting average with 19 home runs, 59 RBI, and an .856 OPS. Among American League catchers, he either leads or is tied for the lead in nearly every major offensive category.
Those statistics have helped transform him from an elite defensive catcher into one of baseball’s most complete players.
Hinch has watched Dingler’s development firsthand, and he believes what makes this season remarkable is the combination of offensive production and elite work behind the plate.
Speaking before Tuesday night’s victory over the New York Yankees, Hinch explained exactly why he believes Dingler deserves All Star recognition.
“He’s playing at the top of the game at a position that’s really hard to play,” Hinch said. “I say that with all respect to every position, as catcher biased as I am. He’s doing incredible things. For a player who came up with an enormous defensive reputation, won a Gold Glove (last season), caught in the biggest moments for us, offensively, he’s been as close to carrying us as any player in our lineup. And he’s been very consistent with very little rest.”
Hinch also made it clear that he expects Dingler to be part of the All Star festivities one way or another.
“He needs to be in Philadelphia. I think everybody knows that. How he gets there is a work in progress over the next two weeks.”
Despite putting together arguably the best season of any catcher in the American League, Dingler was eliminated before Phase 2 of All Star fan voting.
That outcome surprised many around baseball, particularly given his dominance on both sides of the ball. While fan voting determines the starting catcher, reserve selections are made through player ballots and Major League Baseball, giving Dingler another path to earning a roster spot.
Considering both his offensive numbers and defensive impact, many believe his résumé stacks up with anyone at the position.
The Tigers have spent much of the season exceeding expectations, and Dingler has played a significant role in that success.
His ability to manage Detroit’s pitching staff while producing in the middle of the lineup has made him one of the club’s most indispensable players.
Whether the honor comes through the player vote or the commissioner’s selections, Hinch has already made his opinion clear. Based on what Dingler has accomplished during the first half of the season, he believes there is no question the Tigers catcher belongs among baseball’s All Stars.
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During an appearance Wednesday on 97.1 The Ticket, Hinch left little room for debate when discussing catcher Dillon Dingler, who has emerged as one of the most valuable players in baseball during the first half of the season.
“If Dillon Dingler’s not an All Star, then we should cancel the game,” Hinch said. “I really believe that. He’s the best catcher in the game right now.”
While the comment was delivered with Hinch’s trademark sense of humor, the message behind it was unmistakable. The Tigers skipper believes Dingler’s performance has earned him a trip to Philadelphia for this month’s Midsummer Classic.
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Dingler’s Production Speaks for Itself
Detroit has relied heavily on Dingler’s consistency throughout the season, and the numbers illustrate why.
Entering Wednesday, the 26-year-old led all Major League catchers with a 3.8 FanGraphs Wins Above Replacement, placing him among the most valuable position players in the sport regardless of position.
His offensive production has been just as impressive. Dingler owns a .264 batting average with 19 home runs, 59 RBI, and an .856 OPS. Among American League catchers, he either leads or is tied for the lead in nearly every major offensive category.
Those statistics have helped transform him from an elite defensive catcher into one of baseball’s most complete players.
Hinch Praises Dingler’s Complete Game
Hinch has watched Dingler’s development firsthand, and he believes what makes this season remarkable is the combination of offensive production and elite work behind the plate.
Speaking before Tuesday night’s victory over the New York Yankees, Hinch explained exactly why he believes Dingler deserves All Star recognition.
“He’s playing at the top of the game at a position that’s really hard to play,” Hinch said. “I say that with all respect to every position, as catcher biased as I am. He’s doing incredible things. For a player who came up with an enormous defensive reputation, won a Gold Glove (last season), caught in the biggest moments for us, offensively, he’s been as close to carrying us as any player in our lineup. And he’s been very consistent with very little rest.”
Hinch also made it clear that he expects Dingler to be part of the All Star festivities one way or another.
“He needs to be in Philadelphia. I think everybody knows that. How he gets there is a work in progress over the next two weeks.”
Fan Voting Didn’t Tell the Full Story
Despite putting together arguably the best season of any catcher in the American League, Dingler was eliminated before Phase 2 of All Star fan voting.
That outcome surprised many around baseball, particularly given his dominance on both sides of the ball. While fan voting determines the starting catcher, reserve selections are made through player ballots and Major League Baseball, giving Dingler another path to earning a roster spot.
Considering both his offensive numbers and defensive impact, many believe his résumé stacks up with anyone at the position.
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Detroit Expects Dingler to Receive the Recognition He Has Earned
The Tigers have spent much of the season exceeding expectations, and Dingler has played a significant role in that success.
His ability to manage Detroit’s pitching staff while producing in the middle of the lineup has made him one of the club’s most indispensable players.
Whether the honor comes through the player vote or the commissioner’s selections, Hinch has already made his opinion clear. Based on what Dingler has accomplished during the first half of the season, he believes there is no question the Tigers catcher belongs among baseball’s All Stars.
Continue reading...
