What is the Dodgers’ Plan for Top Prospect Dalton Rushing?
Dalton Rushing is the Dodgers’ No. 1 prospect, and is expected to arrive in the Major Leagues in 2025. As the 23-year-old catcher prepares to potentially make his MLB debut next season, questions loom over the Dodgers’ plan for Rushing.
The Athletic’s Fabian Ardaya predicts that Rushing will serve primarily as a catcher for the Dodgers. But, he also expects Rushing to make appearances in the outfield. Although Rushing is listed as a catcher in his MLB profile, the 2024 Minor League All-Star also made several appearances in left field last season.
Rushing spent the majority of the season with the Double-A Tulsa Drillers. He made 39 starts at catcher and only four in left field. However, after his promotion to Triple-A in October, Rushing made six appearances at catcher and 27 in left field.
The Dodgers currently have four catchers listed on their 40-man roster. Two-time World Series champions Will Smith and Austin Barnes are on Los Angeles’ active 26-man roster. Meanwhile, Hunter Feduccia and Diego Cartaya fill the other two spots on the 40-man roster.
Ardaya expects Feduccia to be the Dodgers’ first choice for the 26-man roster if Smith or Barnes were unavailable. He added that Cartaya’s stock has dwindled recently. Ardaya predicted Rushing to begin the season in Triple-A and eventually be called up to the Major Leagues.
Rushing is coming off a standout season in the minor leagues. In addition to his minor league All-Star selection, he earned the Dodgers’ Branch Rickey Minor League Player of the Year award. This honor is given to the franchise’s minor league hitter of the year. Rushing was also a 2024 All-MiLB Second-Team selection.
Although Treinen was eager to stay with the Dodgers, he was open to exploring options with other teams. The All-Star pitcher was unsure if he still held an important role in the Dodgers’ bullpen.
“You have to try to explore your options. You don’t know if you fit in the plans moving forward,” Treinen said. “If certain players present an opportunity they feel are better to move on, then that’s what they want to do. And for me, it was just trying to figure out, where I fit with the Dodgers, and if it was a good fit to come back, not so much as a financial thing.”
Ultimately, Treinen landed a contract with the Dodgers, where he will likely finish his career. In the interview with McKain, Treinen expressed his desire to retire as a Dodger.
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