From Backup to Playoff Starter: The Unlikely Rise of Ben Rortvedt
In the world of professional sports, few stories are as compelling as that of Ben Rortvedt, the Dodgers’ catcher who has risen from a backup role to a playoff starter in the blink of an eye. Just a month ago, Rortvedt was taking a nap before a game, unaware that his life was about to take a dramatic turn. With the injuries of Will Smith and Dalton Rushing, Rortvedt was thrust into emergency duty, and he has since become an integral part of the team’s success.
Rortvedt’s journey to the Dodgers was not an easy one. A former second-round draft pick of the Minnesota Twins, Rortvedt has struggled to find consistency in his major-league career. He was traded to the New York Yankees and then to the Tampa Bay Rays, where he finally found some success in 2024. However, his numbers faded, and he was relegated to backup duties before being designated for assignment in late May.
A New Opportunity
At the trade deadline, Rortvedt was traded to the Dodgers, where he was expected to replace Hunter Feduccia as the team’s third organizational catcher. However, fate had other plans. With the injuries to Smith and Rushing, Rortvedt was given the opportunity to start, and he has made the most of it. He has provided a steady presence behind the plate, improved defense on balls in the dirt, and subtly useful offense with a .224 batting average and three sacrifice bunts.
Despite the challenges of learning a new pitching staff and adjusting to a new team, Rortvedt has found success. He has gone 11-for-49 at the plate with two doubles, a home run, and an on-base-percentage above .300, posting a higher OPS than Rushing on the year. He has overseen a dominant run from the rotation, with Dodgers pitchers posting a 2.89 ERA in the 18 games he has caught.
A Clutch Performer
Rortvedt’s energy and enthusiasm have been contagious, and his teammates have taken notice. “For him being new to the team, he’s just had a really good energy,” said Dodgers Game 1 starter Blake Snell. “He’s been very clutch for us offensively, very clutch for us defensively. I just attribute it to how much he wants to catch and how much he wants to be back there. His excitement, it’s contagious. And it’s helping the pitchers pitch good.”
The Dodgers are still hoping to get Smith back to full-time starting duties at some point this October, but for now, Rortvedt has been the right guy at the right time to help the team navigate its sudden catching problems. And on Tuesday night, he’ll get his first playoff start, a testament to his hard work and determination.
As Rortvedt prepares for his playoff debut, he remains grateful for the opportunity. “I’ve just been really grateful to get another chance [in the majors],” he said. “And a chance like this is an amazing opportunity.” With his unlikely rise to playoff starter, Rortvedt’s story is one of perseverance and dedication, a reminder that in the world of sports, anything can happen.
Learn more about Ben Rortvedt’s journey and the Dodgers’ playoff run Here
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