Dalton Rushing Expands Dodgers’ Catching Surfeit
Will Smith made his first All-Star Game appearance this year. But he was not the only catcher in the Dodgers organization who was in Seattle for the midsummer celebration.
Dalton Rushing, the club’s 2022 second-rounder, participated in the Futures Game. Like Smith, he is a product of the University of Louisville.
“Coming from the same place, it’s pretty cool,” Rushing said. “I was just talking to (Louisville) head coach Dan McDonnell, and he was telling me this was the first time they’ve ever had two of their former catchers in the All-Star Game and the Futures Game. I thought that was pretty cool.
“He’s the greatest catcher in baseball right now . . . Will Smith is who he is, a great guy to look up to.”
Smith and Rushing have something else in common this year. Both missed time with concussion symptoms after being hit in the head by a batter’s back swing.
“Everything’s back to normal,” Rushing said of his mid-June injury. “It was a little blurry there for most of a week, kind of had concussion symptoms. We played it on the safe side for about a week and a half. Ever since I got back, I’ve felt better and better.”
Rushing made a loud pro debut with Low-A Rancho Cucamonga last summer, hitting eight homers in 28 games. The 22-year-old had adapted to the challenge of playing at High-A Great Lakes this year.
Through 68 games, Rushing hit .242/.419/.448 with nine homers. The Dodgers’ development staff have been “amazing,” Rushing said.
“I think they’ve helped me slow down the game, maximize the things within me and make me the best player I can possibly be on the field,” Rushing said.
“From a development standpoint, it’s the Dodgers—they do everything in their power to make you the greatest player you can possibly be.”
L.A. CONFIDENTIAL
— The Dodgers’ catching surfeit extends beyond Smith and Rushing. Diego Cartaya has had a down season at Double-A Tulsa but remains a top prospect in the organization. Keibert Ruiz was dealt to the Nationals at the 2021 trade deadline to acquire Max Scherzer and Trea Turner.
— Former big league closer Ken Giles joined Triple-A Oklahoma City, trying to work his way back from three years of injuries. The 32-year-old signed a minor league deal in June and made two appearances in the Arizona Complex League before joining OKC after the all-star break. Giles allowed six hits and walked seven in his first 3.2 innings at Triple-A.
— Jorbit Vivas ranked among the Double-A Texas League leaders in hits and batting average this season. The 22-year-old Venezuelan hit .303 with an .879 OPS in his first 87 games this season. Playing second base primarily, Vivas had 11 home runs and 15 stolen bases.
