Erie SeaWolves stars Wilmer Flores and Dillon Dingler named to MLB Futures Game
When Wilmer Flores was sitting in a classroom in Arizona, he had big-league dreams.
For a period of time, the starting pitcher thought they were just dreams that would never come true.
Two years later, Flores will be on one of the biggest stages in Minor League Baseball after he was named to the MLB Futures Game on Thursday.
“At the moment I was in school I never imagined this would happen. Not even close,” Flores said with a smile. “I just had to keep a good mindset, be persistent and be consistent.”
The undrafted community college player will fly to Los Angeles in one week with former Ohio State catcher Dillon Dingler to represent the SeaWolves and the Detroit Tigers. The game is set for July 16 at 7 p.m.
Flores, 21, is from Venezuela and played college baseball at Arizona Western College in Yuma, Arizona, during the 2020 season. He pitched in just six games because of the pandemic, but he stood out enough for the Tigers to take a chance on him.
Between the Rookie League and Lakeland, Flores went 6-4 with a 3.68 ERA last year before making six appearances in the Arizona Fall League.
His ascent continued this year; he lasted six appearances with West Michigan before being promoted to Erie.
“The Futures Game is something I've been waiting for since pitching well in West Michigan,” Flores said. “I was seriously waiting for it and throwing really well. It's something that is really good for me and my career.”
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Two different roads to the top
Flores is listed as the No. 14 prospect for the Tigers according to MLB.com, while Dingler is No. 3.
“Obviously this is a big day for our scouting department and our player development department, which work hand in hand,” Tigers Vice President of Player Development Ryan Garko said in a telephone interview. “We're celebrating two players that have come from wildly different paths. Dillon was at a Power 5 school and a high draft pick that most people know about, while Wilmer is from a small school out west. Our scouting department should be proud of finding Wilmer and the development department should be proud of the work they've done with him. A lot of people put a lot of work into these two players.”
Dingler and Flores join a growing list of SeaWolves to play in the Futures Game. Riley Greene and Spencer Torkelson played in the 2021 game and Matt Manning, Isaac Paredes and Jake Rogers played in the 2019 game. All five have reached the big leagues this year, which could be the future for Dingler and Flores.
“Wilmer and I found out last week and we are both super excited about this opportunity,” Dingler said. “It's a great honor to represent the Tigers in this event. I'm looking forward to getting out there and enjoying the moment and seeing all of the talent.”
The SeaWolves will be without both players for three games. Dingler said the plan is to fly out Friday and by the time they get back it will be the All-Star break. The 'Wolves will miss a start from Flore; he is scheduled to pitch on Tuesday and the following Sunday at UPMC Park, but he will be returning from Los Angeles on that Sunday.
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Working together
Flores and Dingler will make the trip west together after spending the past few months together.
“I feel comfortable working with Dillon and I trust him every game,” said Flores, who has pitched to Dingler several times with the SeaWolves. “We know we are the next generation of the Tigers so we have to work together.”
Flores has been working on his slider and curveball to complement an elite fastball. Dingler has been a part of that process as the starting catcher for the SeaWolves.
“Wilmer is electric and has great stuff,” Dingler said. “He makes it look easy with his great control, especially with his off-speed stuff. His fastball has been popping lately, he works ahead with his slider and puts guys away with his curveball. It's really fun to go out there with him.”
The Futures Game is a reward for Dingler, who has become a defensive standout and leader for Erie. He is hitting .240 with 15 doubles, seven home runs and 37 RBIs in 67 games and is learning the routines of catching games, handling a staff and working on his approach at the plate.
“Last year was my first full year of pro ball and now I'm learning how to catch 100-plus games a year and handle everything from keeping my body ready and handling the pitching staff,” Dingler said.
Contact Tom Reisenweber at treisenweber@timesnews.com. Follow him on Twitter @ETNreisenweber.
This article originally appeared on Erie Times-News: Erie SeaWolves Dillon Dingler, Wilmer Flores named to MLB Futures Game
