Dillon Dingler spent 2026 doing more than just backing up the hype - he put himself in the middle of the Gold Glove conversation again and gave the Tigers a real shot at something the franchise hasn’t pulled off in 20 years.
The Detroit catcher, fresh off a first-half surge that pushed him into MVP talk and earned him his first All-Star nod, was also just as sharp on defense as he was with the bat. Statcast credited Dingler with a 17 fielding run value this season, which ranked second in the American League and fifth in Major League Baseball.
That work behind the plate earned Dingler a spot as a finalist for the 2026 Gold Glove Award at catcher. He’s up against Brandon Valenzuela of the Toronto Blue Jays and Austin Wells of the New York Yankees, with the winner set to be announced on Nov. 1.
The numbers give Dingler a strong case. Baseball Reference’s defensive runs saved rankings show the Tigers catcher at 15, compared with nine for Valenzuela and eight for Wells.
If Dingler gets the nod, he’ll do something no Tigers catcher has done since Ivan Rodriguez. Rodriguez remains one of the most respected players in Detroit history, and he was the last Tiger to win back-to-back American League Gold Gloves, taking the award in 2006 and 2007. A Dingler win would make him just the fourth Tigers catcher to earn consecutive Gold Gloves, joining Rodriguez, Lance Parrish and Bill Freehan.
It would also extend a drought for the franchise itself. Before Dingler won the Gold Glove in 2025, the last Tigers player to take home the honor was second baseman Ian Kinsler in 2016.
Dingler’s defense has already established him as one of the better catchers in the game, and the next step is obvious. If he can keep the power going in 2027 while boosting his batting average and cutting down the strikeouts, he won’t just be known as a glove-first player.
“He was performing at such a high level that anything was going to be deemed a step back,” Manager A.J. Hinch said in the end-of-season press conference.
“He’s still a great player, even in the month that he struggles. His emergence as a leader on this team, both on the field and his presence behind the plate, is a massive step forward.”
In Other News...
Tigers May Be Closing In On An Intriguing International Infield Prospect
The Tigers appear to be circling an intriguing international addition as the January signing period approaches, with reports linking them to 18-year-old shortstop Nam Hyun-woo out of Seoul Convention High School. Nam has drawn attention not only as a KBO draft prospect, but also because of the kind of profile Detroit has shown an interest in building around - a young infielder with room to develop and enough talent to merit a closer look from scouts.
Nothing has been confirmed by the Tigers yet, but the fit is easy to understand from their side. An international signing like this would add another possible piece to the organizations infield pipeline, and the early buzz around Nam suggests there is real belief in his long-term upside. For now, it remains a name to watch once the market opens in January, with Detroits next move still pending. [Read more 🡒]
One Tigers Prospect Could Shift Detroit's Entire Pitching Plan
The Tigers have spent the last few seasons leaning on an influx of young talent, and that wave is still rolling through the organization. Kevin McGonigle, Max Clark, Hao-Yu Lee, Colt Keith, Jackson Jobe and Troy Melton are all part of the clubs broader youth movement, but the pitching side of the equation has been the more urgent concern after Detroit moved Tarik Skubal and Casey Mize and watched Jack Flaherty head toward free agency.
Into that opening steps Andrew Sears, a left-hander drafted in the 10th round in 2023 who reached the majors in 2026 and suddenly has a chance to matter more than anyone might have guessed. If Sears is able to compete for a rotation job, it could change how aggressively the Tigers need to shop for a mid-range starter this winter, and it gives Detroit another internal option at a time when every bit of pitching depth carries extra weight. [Read more 🡒]
Former Orioles Lefty Finds A New Chance After Brutal Setback
The Tigers have added another arm to their pitching pipeline, signing left-hander Nick Raquet to a two-year minor league contract as he works his way back from Tommy John surgery. The deal gives Detroit a low-risk, longer-term bet on a pitcher who will spend the entire 2027 season rehabbing, but whose next opportunity could come once he is healthy again.
For a club that has spent plenty of time sorting through pitching depth, the move is as much about patience as it is about upside. Raquet now has some security while he recovers, and the Tigers are planning around a 2028 return if everything progresses as expected. For a player coming off such a brutal setback, it is at least a clear path forward. [Read more 🡒]