Dodgers News: Dalton Rushing Discusses Readiness for Potential Call-Up This Season

Dalton Rushing, the Los Angeles Dodgers' top prospect, is ready for a potential call-up this season.

With outfielder Teoscar Hernández recently avoiding a stint on the injured list after being hit by a pitch, the Dodgers are keeping their options open for outfield depth.

Rushing, who was drafted as a catcher from the University of Louisville in 2022, has quickly moved up the minor league ranks and is currently making waves in Triple-A Oklahoma City.

In 26 games this season, he has posted a solid batting line of .283/.412/.500, including five home runs and 17 RBIs. Notably, he has primarily played in left field, the same position as Hernández.

The 23-year-old is aware of the opportunity that may arise and is preparing himself for the possibility of stepping up to the big leagues.

"I'm going to be ready. They can call my name whenever and know I'll go up there and get the job done," Rushing said in a recent interview with Dodgers Nation's Doug McKain . "That's my biggest goal is how can I press the envelope and force my own hand."

His journey began when he was selected as the 40th overall pick in the 2022 draft, a year when the Dodgers did not have a first-round selection.

Rushing's performance has earned him recognition, as he was recently ranked as the highest-rated prospect in the Dodgers' organization by Baseball America.

He started the 2024 season in Double-A Tulsa but quickly transitioned to Triple-A, where he has found success.

“[Double-A is] not as hitter-friendly of a league, just taking a ton of walks, not swinging the bat too much," Rushing told McKain. "This year, my main goal was to go up there with the idea to do damage, hitting in the two, three, four, five spot [in the lineup]. Ideally, that's my job.

"That was my main goal getting in and so far it's worked out pretty well. At the end of the day, I'm just trying to finish the season as strong as possible and just get myself to get myself a chance to keep playing baseball.”

As the Dodgers navigate their roster, Rushing remains focused on finishing the season strong and seizing any opportunity that comes his way.