Dalton Rushing Wears The Platinum Sombrero On Thursday
Los Angeles Dodgers catching prospect Dalton Rushing had a forgettable day at the plate on Thursday for Triple-A Oklahoma City, going 0-for-5 with five strikeouts. That makes nine punchouts in 21 plate appearances (42.9 percent) for the Dodgers' top-ranked offensive prospect. The former second-round draft pick hasn't had an overly high strikeout rate in the past, having come into the year with a 21.4 percent rate, so hopefully this is just the process of knocking some rust off at the beginning of the year. The 24-year-old is coming off a 26-home run campaign in 2024 and was solidly on a trajectory for a 2025 MLB debut, however, it might be a little later in the season than originally expected. The Louisville product is blocked for playing time at catcher with Will Smith locked up long-term, but Los Angeles had the 5-foot-11 backstop getting outfield reps last year in order to give him and his bat multiple paths to the big leagues. Assuming he gets back on track and debuts in 2025, he should have value in two-catcher leagues (with both C and OF eligibility on Yahoo) so long as he's getting regular at-bats.
The Los Angeles Dodgers have assigned catching prospect Dalton Rushing to minor-league camp. Rushing was competing for a spot on the Opening Day roster but will instead return to the minor leagues to continue his development. At the plate, Rushing went 2-for-10 at the plate with a strong 9:4 BB:K across 13 games in the Cactus League. Last summer, Rushing opened the campaign at Double-A and posted a .270/.378/.512 slash line with 15 doubles and 17 long balls. He then made his Triple-A debut where he continued to swing a hot bat. Across his first 37 games with Triple-A Oklahoma City, the backstop held a .273/.396/.511 line with nine round-trippers and a 26:34 BB:K. Fantasy managers should keep a close eye on his progression at Triple-A as he should push for an early 2025 MLB debut.
Dalton Rushing Getting Opportunities At First Base
According to Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic, Los Angeles Dodgers catching prospect Dalton Rushing was getting reps at first base on Sunday. Ardaya noted that while the team wants Rushing to focus on developing behind the plate, they are keeping all options open. Manager Dave Roberts also expressed that it is still "TBD" how much outfield work he could see. Throughout the minor leagues, Rushing has seen starting opportunities behind the plate and in the outfield. The top prospect in the Dodgers system made his Triple-A debut last summer and held his own as he posted a .273/.396/.511 line with six doubles and nine home runs. Earlier in the summer at Double-A, Rushing posted a .270/.378/.512 line across 77 contests. Fantasy managers should expect Rushing to contend for an MLB debut sometime during the 2025 campaign.
Los Angeles Dodgers catcher/outfield prospect Dalton Rushing went 1-for-4 with a solo home run on Sunday for Triple-A Oklahoma City. Rushing was promoted to Triple-A earlier this month, where he's since gone 20-for-62 (.323 AVG) with four doubles, three homers, 10 RBI, and 13:13 BB/SO. Overall, he's been outstanding through 95 games this season, slashing .280/.392/.516 with 20 home runs and 69 RBI. Currently the Dodgers' No. 1 prospect (per MLB.com), Rushing is expected to make his MLB debut next season.
Los Angeles Dodgers catching prospect Dalton Rushing went 2-for-4 with a double, a home run, and three RBI on Wednesday evening. This was his first time going deep at the Triple-A level. Through his first eight games at Triple-A Oklahoma City, the backstop has carried a .280/.441/.480 slash line with a 7:7 BB:K ratio. Through these eight games, Rushing has only gone hitless three times and has enjoyed three multi-hit outings. Earlier this summer through his first look at Double-A, the 23-year-old posted a solid .270/.378/.512 line with 17 home runs and 59 RBI through 77 games. Rushing is considered the top prospect in the Dodger system and 39th overall in all of baseball on MLB.com. He should have a strong chance to spend most of next summer in the big leagues.
Los Angeles Dodgers top prospect Dalton Rushing notched his first Triple-A hit in his first Triple-A at-bat on Tuesday night for Oklahoma City. Rushing is expected to primarily play left field at Oklahoma City. A versatile player who can also play behind the plate, Rushing possesses 55-grade power and a 50-grade hit tool. Between two levels this season, the 23-year-old is hitting .269 with 17 homers and 59 RBI. The switch to outfield is an interesting development that could be made to help him get to the majors sooner. He would be more valuable for fantasy managers at catcher but is still a premium prospect either way.
After a strong season at Double-A Tulsa, the Dodgers will promote catcher prospect Dalton Rushing to Triple-A Oklahoma City. Rushing earns the promotion after hitting .270 with 17 homers and 59 RBI. Rushing is the Dodgers No. 1 prospect and No. 46 overall per MLB Pipeline, mostly due to his ability to hit the ball with plenty of thump from the left side of the dish. Strikeouts were an Achilles heel entering this season, but Rushing has improved a lot in that department in 2024. With the Dodgers being set behind the dish for years to come with Will Smith, Rushing has also seen time at first base and that could be his future home as he is not the best defensive catcher in general. Regardless of his defense, it is his bat that will be helping fantasy managers in the future. It will be interesting to see if he gets a chance with the Dodgers this summer, but he is knocking on the door for next season. Dynasty managers should be rostering Rushing, while redraft managers should keep his name on file for next season.
Los Angeles Dodgers catching prospect Dalton Rushing went 2-for-4 on Sunday with two home runs. Rushing has now launched seven homers in his last 11 games - four since the start of August. Through 77 games with Double-A Tulsa, he's slashing .271/.378/.513 with 15 doubles, 17 homers, 59 RBI, and 38:69 BB/SO. Currently the Dodgers' No. 1 prospect (per MLB.com), Rushing is expected to make his MLB debut at some point next season.
Los Angeles Dodgers catching prospect Dalton Rushing went 3-for-4 on Thursday evening with two walks, four RBI, and a long ball. This was Rushing's fourth round-tripper in the past eight games. In this span, Rushing has only gone hitless once and posted three multi-hit efforts. Overall, through his first 74 games at Double-A Tulsa, the top prospect in the Dodger system sits with a solid .268/.380/.487 slash line, 14 home runs, 55 RBI, and a 38:64 BB:K ratio. Rushing is ranked as the 46th-best prospect in the sport on MLB.com and remains on track to meet his 2025 major league ETA.
Los Angeles Dodgers catcher prospect Dalton Rushing went 1-for-5 with a walk and two-run home run for Double-A Tulsa on Sunday. The home run would be the third in five games for MLB Pipeline's No. 46 prospect. Rushing, 23, is also the Dodgers top prospect and on the season has hit .260 with 13 homers and 50 RBI in first taste of Double-A. The backstop will be a popular name in trade talks with the trade deadline approaching and with the Dodgers franchise employing Will Smith and fellow catcher prospect Diego Cartaya, it remains to be seen what the Dodgers will do with Rushing. For now, he remains one of the best of catchers on the farm and should be rostered in dynasty leagues due to his ability to consistently drive balls in the air with lots of hard contact.
Dalton Rushing
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