The Los Angeles Dodgers managed to make several big moves to improve their roster ahead of the MLB trade deadline without sacrificing much of their best talent in the minor leagues. Now, one of the Dodgers top prospects is one step closer to making his MLB debut.
Los Angeles boasts one of the best farm systems in baseball. Following the 2024 draft, USA Today rated the Dodgers farm system as the seventh-best in baseball while FanGraphs placed Los Angeles fourth among its MLB farm system rankings.
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While president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman had to part with some talented players at the MLB trade deadline to land Tommy Edman, Michael Kopech, Kevin Kiermaier, Amed Rosario, and Jack Flaherty, many of the Dodgers top prospects remain.
One Of Los Angeles Dodgers Top Prospects Promoted After Posting Insane Stats
Now, according to Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic, the Dodgers are promoting catching prospect Dalton Rushing from Double-A Tulsa to Triple-A Oklahoma City. It comes off a torrid stretch at the plate and a recent move that suggests a call-up could happen later this year.
- Dalton Rushing stats (FanGraphs): .270/.378/.512, 17 home runs, 59 RBI, 44 runs scored, .402 wOBA, 147 wRC+, .891 OPS, 11.4% walk rate, 20.7% strikeout rate in 334 plate appearances
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Rushing isn’t just viewed as one of the Dodgers top prospects, he’s also one of the best MLB prospects in 2024. FanGraphs ranks him as the 37th-best prospect in the game and MLB.com rates him as the 46th-best prospect and the sixth-best catcher.
On the season, the 23-year-old has handled Double-A pitching with relative ease. Now, the left-handed hitter is headed to Triple-A Oklahoma City coming off an MVP-like stretch with the bat.
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From June 26 to August 4, Rushing slashed .310/.396/.632 with a 1.028 OPS and he dropped his strikeout rate under 20 percent. During this 23-game run, he hit 8 home runs with 4 doubles and collected nearly as many RBI (19) as strikeouts (20).
Just as interesting, Rushing is starting to get reps in left field. If he can acclimate himself quickly to Triple-A pitching and continues to handle his responsibilities well in the corner outfield, it’s possible we could see Rushing in the Dodgers lineup before the end of the regular season.
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