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The Los Angeles Dodgers claimed catcher Ben Rortvedt off waivers from the Cincinnati Reds on Friday, creating an fascinating scenario for backup catcher Dalton Speeding.
Rortvedt joined the Dodgers on the 2025 commerce deadline, and stepped into an enormous position with a month remaining within the common season. Speeding and on a regular basis catcher Will Smith went down injured, leaving Rortvedt to step up, and he did simply that.
The catcher performed 18 video games to finish the common season, and even labored in 4 postseason appearances.
Rortvedt doesn’t have any minor league choices remaining, and is owed $1.25 million subsequent 12 months — that means the Dodgers should both hold him on the MLB degree or threat dropping him by designating him for project.
The Dodgers now have three catchers on their 40-man roster, and designated Rortvedt for project to keep away from this very scenario earlier within the offseason. The present state of the Dodgers roster brings loads of potentialities for the upcoming season.
What Can the Dodgers Do With Dalton Speeding?
With three catchers on their roster now, probably the most logical play for the Dodgers could be to begin Speeding within the minor leagues subsequent season.
Whereas the catcher is a promising prospect and may also fill in at first base and in left area, he struggled to provide offensively on account of restricted taking part in time final season, and would develop higher if he acquired extra time on the sector.
In 2025, Speeding batted simply in regards to the Mendoza Line and had a .582 OPS by way of 53 video games final season. He additionally hit 4 residence runs and had 24 RBIs throughout that stretch. Elevated sport time and an opportunity to rediscover his rhythm may very well be helpful for the previous No. 1 prospect’s development.
The opposite resolution is conserving him strictly as a backup for a number of positions on account of his versatility. On prime of catcher — which Rortvedt would possible take over — he has performed first base and left area within the minors, and has performed serviceable protection at each positions.
The place is way from determined, although, as Rortvedt and Speeding will each be desirous to show they will take the spot behind Smith for the 2026 season.
Which of the 2 do you wish to see extra subsequent 12 months?
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