Scouting Report

Video scouting report »

Scouting grades: Hit: 50 | Power: 55 | Run: 20 | Arm: 55 | Field: 45 | Overall: 50

Henry Davis went No. 1 overall to the Pirates in the 2021 Draft, and his successor as Louisville's catcher is climbing up Draft boards. Rushing accumulated just 93 at-bats and started only two games at catcher in his first two years with the Cardinals, but he emerged as one of the best offensive performers in the Cape Cod League last summer. After proving up to the task behind the plate while sharing the catching job at Louisville and drilling 23 homers this spring, he could go in the first two rounds. 

Rushing translates his impressive strength and well above-average bat speed into solid power. He repeats his compact left-handed swing well and has displayed a more patient approach in his first season as a full-time starter. He's drawing more walks and showing an improved ability to drive the ball in the air and to all fields. 

Rushing needs more experience and agility as a catcher, though area scouts believe he can become at least an adequate receiver and possibly better than Davis in that regard. He has solid arm strength and makes accurate throws, even from his knees. With his lack of quickness, first base is his only other feasible defensive option, though at 5-foot-11 he'd be short for that position. 

Video scouting report »

Scouting grades: Hit: 50 | Power: 55 | Run: 40 | Arm: 55 | Field: 45 | Overall: 55 

Rushing had just 93 at-bats and started only two games at catcher in his first two seasons at Louisville because he was stuck behind 2021 No. 1 overall pick Henry Davis. He raked in the Cape Cod League that summer and hit 23 homers as a junior before signing for $1,956,890 as the Dodgers' top pick (second round) in the 2022 Draft. After posting a 1.262 OPS in his pro debut, he played in the SiriusXM All-Star Futures Game and homered 15 times in 89 games in High-A last summer despite dealing with a concussion after getting hit on a backswing. 

Though Rushing stands out most for his well-above-average raw power, he's far from a one-dimensional player at the plate. He has a quick, compact left-handed swing and consistently drives the ball in air to his pull side without selling out for home runs. Strikeouts are part of his game, but he makes a lot of hard contact, draws plenty of walks and further enhances his on-base ability by getting hit by more than his share of pitches. 

Rushing is reasonably athletic for a 6-foot-1, 220-pound catcher and can flash close to average speed once he gets going on the bases. Because he's relatively inexperienced behind the plate, his receiving and blocking skills are works in progress, though he has the hands and agility to get the job done. He has the solid arm strength to deter the running game and still is learning to call games and run a pitching staff. The Dodgers began playing him in left field in mid-2024, looking for additional ways to eventually get him at-bats in a big league lineup that includes All-Star backstop Will Smith.

Scouting grades: Hit: 50 | Power: 55 | Run: 40 | Arm: 55 | Field: 45 | Overall: 55

Blocked by 2021 No. 1 overall pick Henry Davis at Louisville, Rushing got just 93 at-bats and started only two games at catcher in his first two college seasons. He broke out as one of the top offensive performers in his Cape Cod League in the summer of 2021, then bashed 23 homers as a junior before the Dodgers made him their first pick (second round) in the 2022 Draft. After signing for $1,956,890, he raked in his pro debut, batting .424/.539/.778 with eight homers in 28 games at Single-A.

Rushing's most impressive tool is his power, which he creates with formidable strength and well above-average bat speed, but he's more than just a slugger. He repeats his compact left-handed swing well and drives the ball in the air and to all fields without selling out for home runs. He works deep counts, draws walks and enhances his on-base ability by frequently getting hit with pitches.

Rushing moves well for a 6-foot-1, 220-pound catcher, displaying below-average run times out of the box and flashing close to average speed once he gets going. He moves well behind the plate but needs more experience to improve his receiving and blocking. He should become at least an adequate catcher and deters the running game with solid arm strength and accurate throws.

Scouting grades: Hit: 50 | Power: 55 | Run: 20 | Arm: 55 | Field: 45 | Overall: 50 

Rushing totaled just 93 at-bats and started only two games at catcher in his first two years at Louisville while blocked by 2021 No. 1 overall pick Henry Davis. After breaking out as one of the top offensive performers in the Cape Cod League last summer, Rushing built on that momentum by slugging 23 homers this spring. The Dodgers made him their first pick (second round) in the 2022 Draft and signed him for $1,956,890. 

Rushing creates solid game power with impressive strength and well-above-average bat speed from the left side of the plate. He repeats his compact swing well and shows the ability to drive the ball in the air and to all fields. He works deep counts and enhances his on-base ability by drawing walks and getting hit by more than his share of pitches. 

Though Rushing needs more experience and agility behind the plate, he should become at least an adequate catcher and most area scouts who cover Louisville believe he's a better receiver than Davis. He deters the running game with his solid arm strength and throwing accuracy. If he doesn't stick behind the plate, first base is his only other viable defensive option because he lacks speed and quickness. 

Awards

MiLB Awards All-MiLB Prospect Second Team

Year	Team
2024

TEX Top MLB Prospect

Year	Team
2024

TEX Post-Season All-Star

Year	Team
2024

Baseball America Minor League All-Star

Year	Team
2024

TEX Player of the Week

Week	Team
08/04/2024

MiLB.com Organization All-Star

Year	Team
2023

Futures Game Selection

Year	Team
2023

MID Player of the Week

Week	Team
04/23/2023

CAL Player of the Month

Month	Team
08/2022

CAL Player of the Week

Week	Team
08/28/2022

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Transactions

Team	Date	Transaction
	10/26/2024	C Dalton Rushing and assigned to Oklahoma City Baseball Club from Tulsa Drillers.
	04/04/2024	C Dalton Rushing assigned to Tulsa Drillers from Dodgers Organization.
	04/02/2024	C Dalton Rushing assigned to Dodgers Organization from Great Lakes Loons.
	03/07/2024	Los Angeles Dodgers Prospects activated C Dalton Rushing.
	01/26/2024	Los Angeles Dodgers invited non-roster C Dalton Rushing to spring training.
	08/19/2023	Great Lakes Loons activated C Dalton Rushing from the 7-day injured list.
	08/10/2023	Great Lakes Loons placed C Dalton Rushing on the 7-day injured list.
	07/07/2023	National League Futures activated C Dalton Rushing.
	06/23/2023	Great Lakes Loons activated C Dalton Rushing from the 7-day injured list.
	06/14/2023	Great Lakes Loons placed C Dalton Rushing on the 7-day injured list.
	02/25/2023	C Dalton Rushing assigned to Los Angeles Dodgers.
	02/25/2023	C Dalton Rushing roster status changed by Los Angeles Dodgers.
	09/13/2022	C Dalton Rushing assigned to Great Lakes Loons from Rancho Cucamonga Quakes.
	08/04/2022	C Dalton Rushing assigned to Rancho Cucamonga Quakes from ACL Dodgers.
	08/01/2022	C Dalton Rushing assigned to ACL Dodgers.
	08/01/2022	Los Angeles Dodgers signed C Dalton Rushing.
	06/11/2022	College Workout activated C Dalton Rushing.
	06/11/2022	C Dalton Rushing assigned to College Workout.
	05/22/2022	C Dalton Rushing assigned to Louisville Cardinals.
	05/22/2022	Louisville Cardinals activated C Dalton Rushing.