The defending World Series champion Dodgers own the best record in the National League (27-15) and look like a lock for their 13th consecutive playoff appearance. But that doesn't mean they can't get better.
Los Angeles has gotten little production out of backup catcher Austin Barnes or their currently healthy outfielders outside of Andy Pages. And it happens to have the best catching prospect in baseball, who also happens to be capable of playing the outfield.
So the Dodgers promoted Dalton Rushing on Wednesday, designating Barnes for assignment to make room. Ranked No. 15 on MLB Pipeline's recently updated Top 10 Prospects list, he was the club's top pick (second round, No. 40 overall) in the 2022 Draft and has looked like a steal almost ever since.
More from MLB Pipeline:
• Top 100 prospects | Stats | Video | Podcast | Complete coverage
Rushing played sparingly behind 2021 No. 1 overall pick Henry Davis during his first two college seasons at Louisville, then broke out with a strong summer in the Cape Cod League and hasn't stopped hitting. He smashed 23 homers as a junior, slashed .404/.522/.740 in his pro debut and has batted .277/.412/.519 during his Minor League career.
Rushing's most obvious offensive trait is his ability to get the most out of his raw power and drive the ball out of the park to all fields, but he's also one of the more well-rounded hitting prospects in the game. A left-handed hitter, the Dodgers' No. 1 prospect has a mature approach and lets his pop come naturally, making repeated hard contact and launching balls in the air to his pull side without selling out. He draws a healthy amount of walks and enhances his on-base ability by getting hit by more than his share of pitches.
The rest of Rushing's game gets overshadowed by his offensive prowess. He has more athleticism and quickness than would be expected from a 5-foot-11, 220-pound catcher. While he's not a basestealing threat, he can flash solid speed under way.
There were some questions about Rushing's ability to stay behind the plate after he caught just 46 games in three college seasons, but he has answered those. He has made significant progress with his receiving, framing and blocking in the Minors and grades as at least average in all of those areas. He also features solid arm strength and has erased 25 percent of basestealers as a pro.
Compared to fellow Louisville product Will Smith, whom he'll back up behind the plate in Los Angeles, Rushing is a more advanced hitter and lesser defender at the same stage of their careers. He profiles as a starting catcher and potential All-Star, though he won't get regular at-bats right away in the Majors.
The Dodgers began playing Rushing in left field more often once he got to Triple-A last season, looking for more ways to get his bat into their lineup, and he's an adequate defender there. He also has seen time at first base, though he's rougher at that position as well as blocked by Freddie Freeman, while Shohei Ohtani monopolizes the DH at-bats.