Los Angeles Dodgers catcher Dalton Rushing is on a tear to start the season, and the league is starting to take notice of the young star.Rushing, the former Dodgers top prospect, is only playing back-up catcher minutes and making spot first base starts, along with designated hitter appearances when needed. However, the lefty hitter has not gotten the starting nod because Will Smith is the Dodgers’ franchise catcher and has the role locked up for the foreseeable future.The lack of playing time leaves Rushing in limbo, but the Dodgers are finding plate appearances whenever possible, and he is delivering more than most everyday catchers at the plate.
Apr 18, 2026; Denver, Colorado, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers catcher Dalton Rushing (68) runs home after a home run during the second inning against the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-Imagn ImagesRushing is hitting .444/.464/1.296 with seven home runs and a 1.760. He has an out-of-this-world 380 wRC+ and 1.0 fWAR.
He does not have enough at-bats to qualify in the hitting rankings, but Rushing is at the top in his small sample size of 28 plate appearances. After a poor rookie year, Rushing is having himself a moment and becoming quite undeniable, forcing Will Smith to rest more often. But without a clear avenue for playing time, there are questions about how viable he is to remain with the Dodgers as an underutilized piece.
View this post on InstagramA post shared by Dodgers Nation (@dodgersnation)Dalton Rushing’s trade valueAccording to Kevin Rosenthal of The Athletic, Rushing is viewed by the Dodgers as an extremely valuable piece, especially given the potential for injuries and his status as an emerging young catcher.“[Dalton Rushing] is in a position like a lot of young Dodgers players have been in the last few years, where he’d be better off elsewhere,” Rosenthal said.“Doesn’t mean the Dodgers feel he’d be better off elsewhere, and when I say better off, he’d get more playing time elsewhere.“The Dodgers, I am sure, see this as well. We’re one Will Smith injury away from really needing Dalton Rushing, and why would we trade him when we’re in that position and when we have Rushing contributing as he is in a part-time role?“So what’s best for Dalton Rushing in terms of his career might not be best for the Dodgers, and I guess at the deadline, sure, anything is possible.
“I can’t see the Dodgers entertaining this unless it was a major deal unless they were getting something huge in return and I’m not sure what that would be at this point. Catching is extremely valuable.”Rushing, only a handful of months prior, was seen as a diminished asset after struggling at the plate during his rookie year, but now, the tables have turned, and he is playing at a position where there are few true difference makers. Luckily for the Dodgers, they do not have a true need at the position and can afford to patiently hold on to Rushing as a building block or wait to include him in the right deal.