Dalton Rushing’s long-term future with the Los Angeles Dodgers was likely decided a little over a year ago. But the seal on his fate could arrive in a few weeks.

A second-round pick in the 2022 draft, Rushing hit at every stop in his steady rise to becoming the Dodgers’ No. 1 prospect. He made his Major League debut on May 15, and in 52 at-bats over 18 games, Rushing has slashed .212/.305/.308, with one home run and nine RBIs.

But in Los Angeles, Rushing finds himself between the proverbial rock and hard place – nothing to prove at Triple-A, but only backup time available at the majors.

Dalton Rushing Struggles to Find Playing Time in Dodgers Lineup

Being a second-string catcher is certainly a different role for Rushing, who had been a top player and offensive producer since the Dodgers selected him out of the University of Louisville. And he’s saying all of the right things about the situation.

“It’s not as much, show up, play the game,” Rushing said. “It’s a little more of understanding the way the game is played up here. Get to know some of these pitchers a little better. Get to know situational baseball a little better in the big leagues. I’m learning a lot every day, and I think it’s going to really be beneficial.” 

Unfortunately for the 24-year-old, roster realities are blocking his way for more time with the Dodgers.  

When Los Angeles signed Will Smith to the 10-year, $140 million contract at the start of the 2024 season, innings behind the plate for Rushing became very limited for the foreseeable future. And with Freddie Freeman and Shohei Ohtani getting the starting nod at Rushing’s other potential landing spots … well, there just doesn’t seem like a great fit for the left-handed slugger.

So would the Dodgers use Rushing as a trade chip before the July 31 deadline? The team’s direction in the upcoming MLB Draft, held July 13-14, might help provide the answer.

In the latest MLB.com mock draft, the Dodgers are predicted to use their first pick, No. 40 overall, on University of North Carolina catcher Luke Stevenson.

Drafting a Catcher Could Give Dodgers a Trade Chip in Dalton Rushing

Stevenson, who turns 21 in July, is a draft-eligible sophomore who established himself as arguably the top catching prospect in the 2025 class.  

Scouts laud his all-around skill set, combining above-average arm strength and accuracy (pop times in the 1.9–1.95 s range) with fundamentally sound receiving skills and improved conditioning behind the plate.

MLB Pipeline ranked him as their 33rd-best prospect, while Baseball America slotted him even higher at No. 24 overall, with much of that based on his premium defensive upside. 

But Stevenson doesn’t just excel behind the dish. Over two seasons at UNC, he slashed a robust .267/.417/.543 while blasting 33 home runs and driving in 116 runs in 125 games. While some evaluators caution about his “power‑over‑contact” swing, his raw strength is undeniable: exit velocities have topped 110  mph, with scouts grading his power in the mid‑50s on the 20–80 scale. 

Stevenson earned MVP honors at the ACC Tournament, helping lead the Tar Heels to a title.

And for an added PR boost, Stevenson has made the news for his quirky game‑day ritual: enjoying a peanut butter & jelly sandwich every three at-bats — an estimated 1,500 PB&Js annually.  

Adding Stevenson to the organization could sway Los Angeles toward using Rushing in a trade for a top outfielder or pitching help. An MLB-ready top prospect at catcher would go a long way toward acquiring any player the Dodgers may target.