Dalton Rushing - Fantasy Baseball Prospects Waiver Wire Pickups (Week 9)

May 23, 2025

Dalton Rushing is a fantasy baseball waiver wire pickup for Week 9 (2025). Target Dalton Rushing as a top prospect free-agent add for fantasy baseball.

BALLER MOVE: Add in 12+ Team Leagues

ROSTERED IN: 15% of Leagues

ANALYSIS:  So long, Austin Barnes, it's Dalton Rushing time now. Los Angeles designated its longest-tenured position player, Barnes, on May 14 to make room after selecting the contract of Rushing. The 24-year-old catcher joined the Dodgers organization in 2022 as a second-round draft pick.

The 35-year-old Barnes had posted a .519 OPS through 13 games this season, while the younger Rushing had been tearing the cover off the ball at Triple-A. It was a logical decision by L.A.

In 31 games at Triple-A this season, Rushing slashed .308/.424/.514, with five homers, 17 RBI, 21 walks, and 29 strikeouts. He performed well at every minor league level in his professional career, and that's why it seemed only a matter of time before the Dodgers promoted him. Rushing was their Minor League Player of the Year in 2024, tying for second among Minor League catchers with 26 homers.

Dalton Rushing clears the wall in right field for his first home run at Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark! pic.twitter.com/7AOSVebnDd

— Oklahoma City Comets (@OKC_comets) August 26, 2024

There's much to be excited about regarding Rushing, the 5-foot-11, 220-pound catcher who can hit for power, has strong on-base skills, and practices solid plate discipline. His short, quick left-handed stroke and patient approach allow him to make consistent hard contact and naturally launch balls in the air to his pull side without swinging for the fences, per MLB.com's scouting report.

While Rushing has gotten reps at first base and in the corner outfield, he will primarily be behind the plate at the MLB level. He'll be Will Smith's backup, learning from the two-time All-Star and World Series champion. Being Smith's mentee will help Rushing acclimate to the game quickly and develop as a catcher and hitter.

In his debut against the Athletics on Thursday, May 15, Rushing went 2-for-4 with two singles, a walk, and three runs scored in a 19-2 Dodgers win. His first major league hit had an exit velocity of 110 mph, with his second coming off a position player in the eighth at 100.3.

While he has high potential, given the short-term limit on opportunities, he is only worth targeting in deeper 12+ team formats.

- Written by Lauren Amour

Top Prospect Rankings and 2025 Call-Up ETAs

You can also check out RotoBaller's fantasy baseball prospect rankings for 2025. Eric Cross updates the below rankings weekly for the top impact prospects for 2025, and when they may be called up:

Top Prospect Dynasty Rankings

Looking for longer term fantasy baseball prospect rankings? You can also check out RotoBaller's top dynasty prospect rankings from Eric Cross:

Popular Player Comparison Searches - Who To Pickup?

Below are some popular searches and comparisons from our fantasy baseball Who To Pickup tool for Dalton Rushing and others. You can also use the free Who Should I Pickup tool to run your own waiver wire comparisons, up to four players at once:

Drake Baldwin or Dalton Rushing
Brandon Lowe or Matt Shaw
Bubba Chandler or Gunnar Hoglund
Bubba Chandler or Jordan Lawlar
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Jonathan Aranda or Jordan Lawlar
Jp Sears or Gunnar Hoglund
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Kyle Stowers or Jordan Lawlar
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Michael Wacha or Gunnar Hoglund
Mitchell Parker or Bubba Chandler
Nick Kurtz or Bubba Chandler
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Nick Kurtz or Roman Anthony
Porter Hodge or Jordan Lawlar
Ranger Su%C3%A1Rez or Gunnar Hoglund
Ranger Suarez or Gunnar Hoglund
Roman Anthony or Bubba Chandler
Roman Anthony or Roman Anthony
Roman Anthony or Zebby Matthews
Tony Gonsolin or Gunnar Hoglund
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Zebby Matthews or Bubba Chandler
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Gunnar Hoglund or Cade Horton
Jake Irvin or Cade Horton
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Bubba Chandler or Gunnar Hoglund
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Zebby Matthews or Gunnar Hoglund
Jack Leiter or Bubba Chandler
Zebby Matthews or Jordan Lawlar
Bubba Chandler or Zebby Matthews
Jasson Dominguez or Jordan Lawlar
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Tony Gonsolin or Gunnar Hoglund
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Gunnar Hoglund or Zebby Matthews
Reese Olson or Bubba Chandler
Tony Gonsolin or Bubba Chandler
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