Dalton Rushing -- Prospect Evaluation

Dalton Rushing, a catcher from Louisville, emerged as a 2022 draft prospect after a breakout season. Backing up Henry Davis (eventual No. 1 overall pick) in 2021, Rushing seized the starting role and produced 23 home runs with a 1.156 OPS. His offensive credentials are bolstered by a strong Cape Cod League performance in summer 2021, where he slashed .314/.401/.542 over 142 plate appearances—a metric valued by scouts as an indicator of professional potential. Standing 6'1" and weighing 220 lbs, he bats left-handed and throws right-handed.

Defensively, Rushing projects as adequate behind the plate with good arm strength and accuracy, though he requires additional experience and improved agility. A significant limitation is his lack of positional flexibility; given his lack of speed, first base is his only alternative, but his size makes that path unlikely. His draft position hinges entirely on whether teams view him as defensively capable of playing catcher at the major league level.

For the White Sox, Rushing addresses an acute need in their catching prospect pool. The system currently features Adam Hackenberg (Top 30 prospect with surprising offensive upside), Carlos Perez (25-year-old backup ceiling), Colby Smelley (2021 draftee in Class-A Kannapolis), and Victor Torres (struggling with the bat). The team could target Rushing as a high-ceiling prospect, though his defensive uncertainty makes him a first-round gamble. Recent mock drafts project him approaching first-round territory, with analysts suggesting he'll likely be available when the White Sox select at No. 26 overall.

Dalton Rushing is a 21-year-old catcher and first baseman from Louisville University who has emerged as the Cardinals' primary offensive threat. Hailing from Brighton, TN, near Memphis, Rushing comes from a region that has produced MLB talent including Austin Riley and Drew Pomeranz. He earned All-State honors in multiple years and was a finalist for Tennessee's Gatorade Player of the Year.

Rushing's offensive breakthrough came during his 2021 Cape Cod League stint with the Bourne Braves, where he posted a .319 average with 7 home runs, 30 RBIs, and a 1.026 OPS across 138 at-bats. With Henry Davis departing as the first overall pick in the 2021 MLB Draft, Rushing has gained increased catching opportunities. In 2022, he transitioned his approach from pure power-chasing to more consistent contact, posting 26 walks in 27 games, indicating improved plate discipline and selectivity.

Offensively, Rushing demonstrates a square stance with loaded hands and quick bat speed that generates loft. He features a slight leg kick with good timing and focuses on hitting gaps and pulling to center field. His power grades at 50, matching his hit grade. Defensively, his skills remain a work in progress with a grading of 45 for glove work, though he possesses strong arm strength (50 grade) behind the plate. He continues developing blocking, range, and the timing of his glove-to-hand transfer.

The defending World Series champion Dodgers promoted Dalton Rushing to the majors on Wednesday, designating backup catcher Austin Barnes for assignment. Rushing, ranked No. 15 among MLB prospects and the Dodgers' top prospect, was selected in the second round (No. 40 overall) of the 2022 Draft. The club promoted him partly due to limited production from Barnes and healthy outfielders outside of Andy Pages, and Rushing's unique versatility as a catcher capable of playing outfield.

Rushing developed significantly after playing sparingly behind 2021 No. 1 overall pick Henry Davis at Louisville. He hit 23 home runs as a junior, then produced a strong pro debut with a .404/.522/.740 slash line and has maintained a .277/.412/.519 average throughout his Minor League career. As a prospect, his most obvious strength is converting raw power into consistent home runs to all fields. He demonstrates a mature approach as a left-handed hitter, drawing walks and getting hit by pitches regularly to enhance on-base ability without chasing.

Beyond hitting, Rushing possesses more athleticism and quickness than typical for a catcher of his 5-foot-11, 220-pound frame. While not a basestealing threat, he flashes solid speed in game situations. The article notes there were questions about other aspects of his game, though the provided text cuts off before elaborating on those concerns.

Dalton Rushing is a left-handed hitting catcher from the University of Louisville evaluated as a prospect for the 2022 MLB Draft. Born February 21, 2001, Rushing is a native of Brighton, Tennessee, where he lettered four years in baseball and two years in football at Brighton High School. In his senior season, he hit .491 with 11 home runs and 46 RBIs, earning a ranking as high as No. 103 among high school prospects.

During his college career at Louisville, Rushing's path to playing time was impacted by the presence of future first overall pick Henry Davis. In his freshman season (2020), COVID-19 limited play, but Rushing appeared in 11 of 17 games with a .308 batting average, one home run, and six RBIs. As a sophomore, he played in only 28 of 50 games with limited starts, posting a .254 average with four home runs and 14 RBIs.

Rushing's breakthrough came in his junior season when he won the starting catcher position vacated by Davis. Playing in all 64 games with 63 starts, he delivered one of Louisville's best power-hitting seasons with a .310/.470/.686 slash line, 23 home runs, 62 RBIs, 16 doubles, and 50 walks. This performance established him as a legitimate draft prospect heading into the 2022 MLB Draft.

Dalton Wayne Rushing is a catcher prospect for the Los Angeles Dodgers who was selected 40th overall in the 2022 MLB Draft. Born February 21, 2001, in Memphis, Tennessee, Rushing stands 6'1" and weighs 220 pounds. He played college baseball at Louisville.

Rushing has demonstrated exceptional offensive production throughout his career. In his most recent performance, he compiled a .349 batting average with .429 on-base percentage and .884 slugging percentage over 43 at-bats with 7 home runs. During his full college season before the draft, he hit .311/.477/.693 with 22 home runs, 15 doubles, and a 17.3% walk rate against a 19.4% strikeout rate across 61 games. Previously in the Cape Cod League, he hit .314/.401/.542 with 6 home runs and 9 doubles.

Defensively, Rushing impressed scouts with his catching ability, including fine receiving skills and plus arm strength, throwing out 31% of basestealers. He has some swing-and-miss issues and has historically struggled against 93+ mph velocity, but demonstrates strong contact quality with good exit velocities and barrel rates.

Rushing ranks as the Los Angeles Dodgers' #2 prospect as of 2025 and Baseball America's #30 overall prospect. He previously ranked #1 for the Dodgers in 2024 and #26 by Baseball America. Recent career transactions indicate he was placed on the 10-day injured list and subsequently activated after rehab assignments.