Brief Introduction of Ben Rortvedt
Benjamin Thomas “Ben” Rortvedt (born September 25, 1997) is an American professional baseball catcher currently playing for the Los Angeles Dodgers in Major League Baseball (MLB). Known for his strong defensive skills and powerful physique, Rortvedt has navigated a professional career that began with his selection by the Minnesota Twins in the second round of the 2016 MLB Draft. He made his MLB debut in 2021 and has since played for the New York Yankees, Tampa Bay Rays, and now the Los Angeles Dodgers, establishing himself as a reliable presence behind the plate despite facing various challenges, including injuries early in his career.
Ben Rortvedt Overview
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Benjamin Thomas Rortvedt |
| Date of Birth | September 25, 1997 |
| Age (as of Sept 2025) | 28 years old |
| Birthplace | Madison, Wisconsin, U.S. |
| Nationality | American |
| Height | 5′ 9″ (175 cm) |
| Weight | 210 lbs (95 kg) |
| Profession | Professional Baseball Player (Catcher) |
| Bats | Left |
| Throws | Right |
| MLB Debut | April 30, 2021, for the Minnesota Twins |
| Current Team (2025) | Los Angeles Dodgers |
| Net Worth (Estimated) | Information for 2025 not widely published; career earnings through 2025 are $3,594,169. |
Early Life and Education of Ben Rortvedt
Benjamin Thomas Rortvedt was born on September 25, 1997, in Madison, Wisconsin. Growing up, he lived with his family in Madison. Rortvedt attended Verona Area High School in Verona, Wisconsin, where he excelled in multiple sports. During his junior year, he earned Wisconsin Baseball Coaches Association All-State First-Team honors, batting an impressive .437 with 10 doubles, two triples, five home runs, and 29 RBIs. As a senior, his performance continued to impress, with a slash line of .444/.568/.667. Beyond baseball, Rortvedt also played football for Verona, demonstrating his versatility as a running back, linebacker, kicker, and punter. He initially committed to play college baseball at the University of Arkansas.
Interestingly, Rortvedt did not join his first travel baseball team until he was 16, having previously focused on soccer and football. His father, Eric, encouraged him to start lifting weights in middle school, a practice that contributed to his nickname “Benny Biceps” later in his career.
Ben Rortvedt’s Career
Minnesota Twins (2016–2022)
Ben Rortvedt’s professional journey began when the Minnesota Twins selected him in the second round, 56th overall, of the 2016 Major League Baseball draft. He signed with the Twins for a $900,000 signing bonus, choosing to forgo his commitment to the University of Arkansas.
He made his professional debut in 2016 with the Gulf Coast League Twins and was later promoted to the Elizabethton Twins, batting .222 with ten RBIs across 33 games. Over the next few years, Rortvedt steadily progressed through the Twins’ minor league system. In 2017, he played for the Cedar Rapids Kernels, hitting .224 with four home runs and 30 RBIs in 89 games. The 2018 season saw him split time between Cedar Rapids and the Fort Myers Miracle, where he posted a combined .262/.331/.379 slash line with five home runs and 43 RBIs in 90 games. He returned to Fort Myers to start the 2019 season and was promoted to the Pensacola Blue Wahoos in May, finishing the year with a .238/.334/.379 batting line, seven home runs, and 29 RBIs over 79 games.
The 2020 minor league season was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but Rortvedt was added to the Twins’ 40-man roster after the season. His MLB debut came on April 30, 2021, as the starting catcher for the Twins against the Kansas City Royals. In that game, he recorded his first major league hit, an RBI single off reliever Wade Davis. During the 2021 season, he appeared in 38 games for the Twins, batting .169 with three home runs and seven RBIs, while also playing for the Triple-A St. Paul Saints.
New York Yankees (2022–2024)
On March 13, 2022, Rortvedt was part of a significant trade, moving to the New York Yankees along with Josh Donaldson and Isiah Kiner-Falefa, in exchange for Gary Sánchez and Gio Urshela. An oblique injury sustained before the trade hampered his spring training, leading to him starting the season on the injured list. He underwent arthroscopic knee surgery in May 2022 to repair a partially torn meniscus, which kept him sidelined for several weeks. He spent the 2022 season on rehabilitation assignments and with the Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders, hitting .218 with seven home runs in 48 games.
Rortvedt again faced injury at the start of the 2023 season. He eventually made his Yankees debut on May 20, going 2-for-4 with a double against the Cincinnati Reds. He played sparingly before returning to Triple-A but was recalled in July when Jose Trevino went on the injured list. He played 32 games as a backup, batting .118 with two homers and four RBIs that season.
Tampa Bay Rays (2024–2025)
On March 27, 2024, Rortvedt was involved in another three-team trade, moving from the Yankees to the Tampa Bay Rays. In this deal, the Miami Marlins acquired Jon Berti, and the Marlins received prospects John Cruz and Shane Sasaki. In 112 appearances for the Rays during the 2024 season, Rortvedt batted .228/.317/.303, hitting three home runs and recording a career-high 31 RBIs. His defensive work behind the plate received solid marks, with FanGraphs valuing him at 1.4 Wins Above Replacement (WAR) and Baseball Reference at 0.9 WAR for the year.
The Rays and Rortvedt avoided arbitration by agreeing to a one-year, $1.125 million contract for the 2025 season. However, his offensive performance declined in 2025, as he went 6-for-63 (.095) with six RBIs and seven walks in 26 contests. On May 28, 2025, the Rays designated Rortvedt for assignment. He cleared waivers and accepted an outright assignment to the Triple-A Durham Bulls on June 2, retaining his remaining salary.
Los Angeles Dodgers (2025–Present)
On July 31, 2025, the Tampa Bay Rays traded Ben Rortvedt, along with pitchers Paul Gervase and Adam Serwinowski, to the Los Angeles Dodgers in exchange for Hunter Feduccia. After a brief stint with the Triple-A Oklahoma City Comets, Rortvedt was added to the Dodgers’ active roster on September 4, 2025.
Ben Rortvedt Personal Life & Family
Ben Rortvedt maintains a relatively private personal life. He grew up in Madison, Wisconsin, with his family. His father, Eric, played a role in his athletic development by encouraging him to start weightlifting in middle school.
A notable personal detail is that Rortvedt adopted a cat named Sully during his recovery from shoulder surgery in Spring Training 2023, after an aneurysm was discovered near his left shoulder. Sully’s face now reportedly adorns one of Rortvedt’s custom gloves.
Information regarding Ben Rortvedt’s relationships, specifically a “Ben Rortvedt gf/bf” or “Ben Rortvedt husband/wife,” is not publicly detailed in credible sources.
Awards and Achievements of Ben Rortvedt
While specific major league awards for Ben Rortvedt are not extensively listed, his career has been marked by significant achievements and recognition at various levels:
- Wisconsin Baseball Coaches Association All-State First-Team honors as a high school junior.
- Selected in the second round (56th overall) of the 2016 MLB Draft.
- Commitment to play college baseball at the University of Arkansas (forgone upon signing with the Twins).
Ben Rortvedt Net Worth and Income
As of 2025, specific details regarding Ben Rortvedt’s estimated net worth are not widely published. However, his income primarily stems from his professional baseball contracts and associated endorsements. Through the 2025 season, Rortvedt’s career earnings from baseball contracts total $3,594,169. His contract with the Tampa Bay Rays for the 2025 season was a one-year deal worth $1,125,000.
Legacy and Influence
Ben Rortvedt’s legacy in baseball is still being written as he continues his career. His journey exemplifies perseverance, having overcome significant injuries to reach and maintain a presence in the major leagues. His dedication to defense and game calling has made him a valuable asset to every team he has played for, even when his offensive statistics haven’t consistently been elite. Rortvedt’s public image is largely that of a dedicated professional athlete focused on his craft.
Interesting Facts about Ben Rortvedt
- Rortvedt earned the nickname “Benny Biceps” early in his career due to his muscular physique, developed from weightlifting encouraged by his father since middle school.
- He grew up within 30 miles of the original Culver’s location in Sauk City, Wisconsin, and had a high school ritual of stopping there for a butterburger and cheese curds after baseball games.
- He initially focused on soccer and football, not joining his first travel baseball team until age 16.
- During Spring Training in 2023, he underwent surgery for an aneurysm in a posterior artery near his left shoulder after noticing discoloration in his left index finger. Doctors indicated that if not identified in time, amputation might have been the only option.
- While recovering from his shoulder surgery, he adopted a cat named Sully, whose face is now featured on one of his custom baseball gloves.
- In April 2024, Rortvedt made his first career pitching appearance, tossing two innings for the Rays and recording his first career strikeout against Tyler Fitzgerald.
Controversies
Ben Rortvedt has not been publicly associated with any significant controversies throughout his professional career. His challenges have primarily been related to injuries, which are common for professional athletes, rather than off-field issues.
Social Media Presence
Ben Rortvedt maintains an online presence primarily through Instagram. He shares baseball, travel, and fitness content on his Instagram page, @rortvedt22. Specific follower counts for Instagram, Twitter, or YouTube are subject to frequent change and not consistently available in verified reports, but his Instagram serves as his main public social media platform.
Final Words about Ben Rortvedt
Ben Rortvedt’s career is a testament to resilience and dedication in professional baseball. From his second-round draft selection by the Minnesota Twins to his current role with the Los Angeles Dodgers, Rortvedt has consistently demonstrated strong defensive capabilities and an unwavering work ethic. Despite facing multiple challenging injuries, he has continued to evolve and contribute to every team he’s played for. As of late 2025, he is an active catcher for the Los Angeles Dodgers, looking to solidify his role and make a lasting impact with the club. His journey, marked by perseverance and commitment to the game, positions him to continue contributing as a valuable asset in Major League Baseball.
