The Dodgers reassigned Rushing to minor-league camp Tuesday.
Rushing has breezed his way through the Dodgers' minor-league system and had a real chance to open the year on the Opening Day roster after slashing .273/.396/.511 over 169 Triple-A plate appearances in 2024. Instead, the Dodgers will give him a few more looks in the minors to start 2025, but he could certainly break through into Los Angeles if he continues to dominate in Triple-A.
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Dodgers' Dalton Rushing: Getting reps at first base
Rotowire
Rushing fielded grounders at first base following the conclusion of Sunday's workout during spring camp, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.
Per Ardaya, the Dodgers want Rushing to prioritize his development behind the plate, but that won't prevent the top prospect from getting reps elsewhere in the field. Though he appears near ready to make his big-league debut after posting a .907 OPS over 169 plate appearances in Triple-A last season, the soon-to-be 24-year-old has a tricky path to the big-league roster as Los Angeles signed Will Smith to a 10-year contract last March and exercised the one-year club option on veteran backup backstop Austin Barnes last November. Rushing's likelihood of making the Opening Day roster or being called up within the first few months of the campaign will likely be strengthened if he shows an acumen for first base, and he also spent some time last year in the minors playing left field, though Roberts mentioned that it's "TBD" how much time Rushing will spend in the outfield moving forward.
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Dodgers' Dalton Rushing: Set to be promoted to Triple-A
Rotowire
The Dodgers will promote Rushing from Double-A Tulsa to Triple-A Oklahoma City on Monday, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.
Rushing will make the leap to Triple-A after producing a .270 average with 17 home runs, 59 RBI and 44 runs scored over 324 plate appearances in 77 games with Tulsa this season. The 23-year-old operates mostly as a catcher, but he has gotten four starts in left field recently, opening up another avenue for playing time if the Dodgers call him up later on this season.
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Dodgers' Dalton Rushing: Clear improvements this year
Rotowire
Rushing is slashing .261/.376/.473 with 10 home runs in 56 games for Double-A Tulsa.
Rushing has improved many of his metrics from his time last year at High-A, cutting his groundball rate from 40.1 percent to 31.8 percent while also cutting his strikeout rate from 24.4 percent to 21 percent. His walk rates have always been high, but it's encouraging to see him putting more balls in play this season while also optimizing his batted-ball profile. Additionally, his hard-hit rate is up from 25.1 percent last year to an elite 34.7 percent this season. The biggest knock on Rushing for dynasty leagues is that Will Smith and Shohei Ohtani are locked up at catcher and designated hitter long term.
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Dodgers' Dalton Rushing: Returns after injury
Rotowire
Rushing (head) was back in action for High-A Great Lakes on Friday after missing time due to a head injury. He went 0-for-3 with a pair of walks and a run.
Rushing missed 10 days after getting hit on the head by a backswing in a game June 13. He was the Loons' designated hitter in his return and wasn't in the starting lineup Saturday, so the organization may be taking a cautious approach by easing the catching prospect back into action. Rushing has looked good in his first stint at the High-A level, slashing .260/.435/.494 with seven homers, 32 RBI. a stolen base and a 21.4 percent walk rate over 207 plate appearances.
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Dodgers' Dalton Rushing: On-base machine for Loons
Rotowire
Rushing has the highest OBP (.427) and highest wRC+ (169) of qualified Midwest League hitters who are 22 or younger.
Rushing is a little old to still be at High-A, and he has been putting up monster numbers for the Great Lakes Loons as a result. He has a .257/.427/.507 slash line with seven home runs, a 24.3 percent strikeout rate and a 20 percent walk rate. Rushing has made 21 starts at catcher, 11 starts at designated hitter and seven starts at first base, which is an accurate representation of how he is likely to be deployed in the majors in a year or two.
