The Los Angeles Dodgers just dropped a bombshell, calling up their top prospect, Dalton Rushing, from Triple-A Oklahoma City and designating longtime catcher Austin Barnes for assignment to make room on the roster. 

This is a huge step for the Dodgers, showing they’re ready to bet on Rushing’s talent in the big leagues. 

For fantasy baseball folks, this is your cue to pay attention—Rushing could be a game-changer for your 2025 lineups.

 

Dalton Rushing Prospect Status

Drafted in the second round (No. 40 overall) in 2022 out of Louisville, Dalton Rushing has been a name to watch. He’s the Dodgers’ No. 1 prospect and No. 15 overall, according to MLB Pipeline, and he’s got the credentials to prove it, including the Dodgers’ 2024 Minor League Player of the Year award. Rushing’s a catcher by trade, but he’s also shown he can handle first base and left field—27 of his 36 Triple-A starts last year were in left. That kind of versatility is gold for a team loaded with stars like Will Smith, Freddie Freeman, and Shohei Ohtani, giving Rushing a shot to crack the lineup.

 

Dalton Rushing Stats

Rushing’s numbers in the minors are the kind that make you sit up straight. Over four seasons, he’s hit .274/.398/.523 with 62 homers and 215 RBIs in 1,050 plate appearances, rocking a .921 OPS. Here’s the rundown of his career:

2022 (Rookie/A): .404/.522/.740, 8 HR, 30 RBI, 134 PA, 213 wRC+

2023 (High-A): .228/.404/.452, 15 HR, 53 RBI, 381 PA, 147 wRC+

2024 (Double-A): .270/.378/.512, 17 HR, 59 RBI, 334 PA, 152 wRC+

2024 (Triple-A): .273/.396/.511, 9 HR, 26 RBI, 169 PA, 133 wRC+

2024 (MiLB Combined): .271/.384/.512, 26 HR, 85 RBI, 503 PA, 146 wRC+

2025 (Triple-A, through mid-May): .308/.424/.514, 5 HR, 17 RBI, 132 PA, 145 wRC+

In 2024, Rushing showed off his power with a .240 ISO and walked 12.7% of the time. This year in Triple-A, he’s hitting .308 with a .373 BABIP and 15.9% walk rate, though his 22.0% strikeout rate means there’s still some fine-tuning to do. Behind the plate, he’s solid, nabbing 30% of base stealers in 2024, and his receiving skills are coming along nicely.

 

Los Angeles Dodgers Depth Chart

The Dodgers’ roster is stacked, which makes Rushing’s path to playing time both exciting and a bit of a puzzle. Will Smith, an All-Star catcher locked in through 2033, is the guy behind the plate, logging 126 games in 2024. Austin Barnes, now DFA’d, was the backup, playing 42 games last year with a .264/.331/.307 line over 156 plate appearances. His glove was still sharp (82nd percentile in pitch blocking), but his bat (.180/.256/.242 in 2023) wasn’t keeping up.

Elsewhere, Freddie Freeman’s at first, Shohei Ohtani’s the DH, and the outfield’s packed with Mookie Betts, Teoscar Hernandez, Andy Pages, and James Outman. Rushing’s time in left field and first base could be his way in, maybe in a role like Daulton Varsho’s early days with the Diamondbacks. Hunter Feduccia’s another catcher on the 40-man, but Rushing’s bat gives him the edge. Cutting Barnes—a Dodgers mainstay and one of just seven catchers to play 10 seasons with the team—shows how much they believe in Rushing.

 

Dalton Rushing Fantasy Outlook

Fantasy players, this is where it gets juicy. Rushing’s call-up is a big deal, especially in dynasty leagues, but he’s also worth a look in redraft formats. His mix of power, plate discipline, and ability to hit for average makes him a serious stash. In 2024, he was a top-10 catcher prospect, with a .271 average, 26 homers, and .384 OBP that scream big-league potential.

The big question is playing time. With Smith catching most days, Rushing might back up or get reps in left field, first base, or DH against certain pitchers. If he gets 300–400 plate appearances, you’re looking at 15–20 homers, 50–60 RBIs, and a .270–.280 average, based on his minor league track record. If Smith misses time, Rushing could be a fantasy stud as a near-everyday catcher. In dynasty leagues, he’s a must-own with star potential, whether he stays at catcher or shifts positions. In redraft, grab him in deeper leagues or as a bench flier, especially if your league counts OBP. Keep an eye on his early games—if he’s playing regularly, he could be a top-10 fantasy catcher by midseason.

The Dodgers are going all-in on Dalton Rushing, and it’s not hard to see why. His bat is major league-ready, and his ability to play multiple spots makes him a perfect fit for a team that loves to mix and match. Saying goodbye to Austin Barnes was tough, but it’s a clear sign they think Rushing’s ready to shine. For fantasy managers, he’s a name to watch closely—whether he’s catching or patrolling left field, Rushing could be one of 2025’s breakout stars. Get ready to add him to your watchlist and follow his first at-bats in LA. This kid’s got something special.