Dodgers’ Dalton Rushing Opens Up on Teammate Diego Cartaya Being Traded This Offseason
Dalton Rushing and Diego Cartaya no longer have the chance to make their MLB debuts together. As two of the Los Angeles Dodgers’ top prospects in 2024, they were likely going to make appearances with the Dodgers in 2025.
While Rushing remains in the Dodgers organization, Los Angeles traded Cartaya in January. The Dodgers initially designated the catcher for assignment to make room for utility Hyeseong Kim. A few days later, Los Angeles agreed to trade Cartaya to the Minnesota Twins for right-handed pitcher Jose Vasquez.
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“Baseball is an actual business. You see it more and more the longer you play,” Rushing said to Dodgers Nation’s Doug McKain. “Losing Diego man, Diego is one of the best people. Like baseball player, he is like what everyone knows he is. But as a person, he was a good guy to be surrounded by, and get to work with every day.”
Both Rushing and Cartaya earned their first promotions to Triple-A last season. The pair of catchers worked alongside each other and were Los Angeles’ two best catching prospects last season.
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“It’s a new opportunity for him. That’s the way you look at it in baseball,” Rushing said to McKain. “I think it’s a very exciting opportunity for him and I hope nothing but the best for him.”
Struggles at the plate as he progressed through the farm system suggested Cartaya would not have a future with Los Angeles. Rushing surpassed Cartaya as the Dodgers’ top catching prospect, earning the Dodgers’ Minor League Player of the Year Award in 2024.
But, Cartaya is now one of five catchers listed on the Twins’ depth chart and will hope to make his MLB debut in 2025.
Photo Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sport
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Sorry about Diego. I remember checking into his early evaluations. He was projected to be a solid offensive and defensive catcher. Hopefully he takes advantage of his opportunity and does a reset. Being number five on the depth chart means he has some work to do.
To bad Diego had to go. If r ushing turns into an offensive juggernaut, his best chance forward might be to in a few years replace freedoe freemon at first base when he retires. Freddie has a couple of great years left but if rushing turns into an offensive beast,he might be the perfect answer
GO DODGERS!!@
Love to hear the back stories, especially the comradery between players. Dalton sounds like a grounded, confident well raised young man.