Dillon Dingler and Zach McKinstry Earn Gold Glove nominations

Dillon Dingler and Zach McKinstry gave the Tigers some recognition Wednesday, with both players named finalists for American League Gold Glove awards. Dingler is a finalist at catcher alongside Austin Wells and Brandon Valenzuela, while McKinstry joins José Caballero and Ezequiel Duran in the utility category. The winners are scheduled to be announced Nov. 1.

For Dingler, the nomination offers another opportunity to build on the Gold Glove he won in 2025. McKinstry is pursuing his first, giving Detroit two different examples of how defensive contributions can create value across a roster. One handles a position involved in nearly every pitch, while the other provides coverage across several positions.

Dingler’s case has statistical support beyond his reputation. Sports Info Solutions’ Fielding Bible Awards preview listed him with 15 Defensive Runs Saved and identified him as an American League Gold Glove favorite. That does not guarantee the voting outcome, but it provides a measurable reason to take his candidacy seriously.

The broader value of dependable catching is worth considering as Detroit evaluates its pitching staff. A catcher who receives, blocks and throws effectively can help pitchers finish plate appearances and limit the damage when execution slips. Those contributions do not eliminate walks or mistakes over the plate, but they are part of the support system surrounding every pitcher.

That is why I would view Dingler’s defense as something to preserve when discussing his workload. Catching carries physical demands that are different from those at other positions, and the Tigers should consider how to keep his defensive performance effective throughout a full season. The question involves how often he catches, who handles the remaining innings and how the team balances his bat with the demands behind the plate.

McKinstry’s nomination raises a different roster-building question. Moving a player around is useful only when he can actually perform at those positions, and a utility role can become much more valuable when it gives a manager legitimate defensive choices. The distinction matters when injuries, matchups or late-inning substitutions change the original lineup plan.

Still, defensive recognition should be one part of a complete evaluation. The Tigers have to consider offensive production, playing time and the alternatives available at each position before deciding how much responsibility any utility player should carry. An award nomination recognizes a particular strength; the front office still has to determine how that strength fits with the rest of the roster.

My takeaway is that Detroit should build on these contributions while continuing to identify improvements elsewhere. Better pitching and more consistent offense become easier to support when the club can also convert playable balls into outs and prevent extra bases. Dingler and McKinstry’s nominations offer a reason to recognize that work, even as the larger evaluation of the Tigers continues this offseason.