LOS ANGELES, CA—We were at Dodger Stadium on Wednesday night when Dave Roberts was asked about Ben Rortvedt, and the manager didn’t hold back in praising what the catcher has done since stepping into a bigger role.
Roberts told us he’s been “over the moon” with Rortvedt’s play. “He’s certainly a glove-first guy, but how he’s transitioned, assimilated with our guys and built trust with the pitchers is remarkable in such a short time,” Roberts said.
The Dodgers manager made it clear that what Rortvedt has done behind the plate hasn’t gone unnoticed. “It’s not a coincidence,” Roberts explained. “The way he catches it, the calling of the game, and then the at-bat quality… every at-bat is a good at-bat. He’s gotten some big hits for us, some big walks, he can lay down a bunt if we need it.”
Roberts also acknowledged the challenge of filling in for Will Smith, an All-Star catcher and a cornerstone of the Dodgers’ lineup. “For a guy to kind of fill in for Will… he has been more than a pleasant surprise. He’s been hugely additive.”
From his defense to his work with the pitching staff and even timely offense, Rortvedt has earned the trust of both his teammates and his manager. And with the postseason on the horizon, his steady impact raises the question: would fans like to see him on the playoff roster as the potential backup to Will Smith?
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