Jake Rogers used to be the Detroit Tigers‘ No. 1 catcher.
Now, he’s their No. 2.
The Tigers recently flipped their catching depth chart, elevating Dillon Dingler into the starting role. As Dingler emerged as one of MLB’s best catchers, both offensively and defensively, Rogers shifted into the backup role.
“We got another great catcher,” Rogers said Wednesday, May 28. “It’s tough. I’m used to playing a lot, but that’s just not my role anymore. I know my role. I’m going to be here for him with whatever he needs, and whenever they want me to play, I’m going to be ready.”
Rogers isn’t bitter. He’s bought in.
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“As long as we’re winning, I love it,” Rogers said.
The numbers don’t lie.
Dingler, 26, is hitting .289 with four home runs, two walks and 42 strikeouts in 41 games. He’s also been worth plus-6 defensive runs saved in 342⅓ innings behind the plate. His offense ranks sixth among 20 catchers with at least 150 plate appearances, while his defense ranks fourth among 19 catchers with at least 300 innings. Only Boston Red Sox catcher Carlos Narváez ranks higher than Dingler in both categories.
“We’re a year removed from him being the guy getting the opportunity,” manager A.J. Hinch said Wednesday of Rogers getting replaced as the No. 1 catcher. “Last year, Jake caught so much because we trusted him so much. Just because Dillon has done well doesn’t mean we trust Jake less or we expect less of him. It’s really important that we keep it all in perspective.”
Rogers, 30, remains an above-average defensive catcher, but his offense continues to lag behind. If Dingler weren’t hitting, Rogers would probably still be the Tigers’ No. 1 catcher.
But Dingler is hitting.
And Rogers is not.
“I want to play every day,” Rogers said, “but when you got a player playing that well, it’s tough to play every day.”
Despite the demotion, Rogers has the respect of his teammates — and then some.
He hasn’t lost the clubhouse.
“Jake is awesome,” said right-handed reliever Tommy Kahnle, who owns a 1.50 ERA in six innings with Rogers catching. “He’s been an incredible teammate. I’ve seen it since Day 1 of spring training. He came up to me and gave me a big hug. I was like, ‘Oh, this is awesome.’ He’s a great catcher. He does everything for us. He will go out there, lay on the ground and pretty much die for you. I love that. That’s pretty much everybody in here.”