Dave Roberts’ plan for Dalton Rushing at 1B perfectly illustrates Dodgers’ dilemma

On May 14, the Los Angeles Dodgers summoned top catching prospect Dalton Rushing for his MLB debut.

Rushing is LA's No. 1 prospect, according to MLB Pipeline, and he's played like it early in his big league career. He's collected four hits, including a double, and an RBI in his first three games in the majors. He's made two starts behind the dish, secured two assists and caught a runner stealing with a bullet of a throw.

But despite the 24-year-old's defensive prowess, he doesn't have an everyday job behind the plate in LA. Starting catcher Will Smith has been on an unreal tear through the first quarter of the season, batting .339/.450/.504 through 39 games. He isn't the best blocker or framer behind the plate, with stats in those categories well below league average, but he's clocked an 89th-percentile rank in caught stealing above average.

Rushing is also an outfield prospect with experience in the corners, but didn't spend much time in the pastures in Triple-A. He posted 243.1 innings in left field with the Comets last year, but only 10 frames in 2025. Most of his work came behind the plate or at first base, with 132.1 innings at catcher and 69 frames on the corner, respectively.

Dodgers' Dalton Rushing usage raises questions about his future job with the team

Although he's listed as a catcher and outfielder, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said he would get some of his playing time in at first base, Freddie Freeman's usual position. Like Smith, Freeman has also been on a torrid streak at the plate to start the year, with a .368/.426/.662 slash line and 1.088 OPS through 37 games.

Freeman is 35 years old and has dealt with lingering injuries in recent seasons. Occasionally playing Rushing at first base could give the veteran more days off and slots an important rookie into the lineup, but it reveals an issue with LA's plan for Rushing — there isn't one now.

The Dodgers parted with longtime catcher Austin Barnes to give Rushing reps behind the plate, where he has the most experience. Moving a top prospect and potential future staple of the lineup all around the diamond because there isn't a regular position for him to hone his skills doesn't seem wise. Barnes had to go (.214/.233/.286) and Rushing's offense makes the Dodgers better, but unless they plan to turn the top prospect into a utility player, it serves everyone to let him develop at his best position.

Catchers who are highly skilled on both sides of the ball are hard to come by, and the Dodgers seem to have one with Rushing. The team should find a way to let him develop at a premier position while putting him to good use on the major league roster, rather than stashing him at first base.