As Director of Pro Scouting, I lead a talented group of evaluators as we break down future stars. You can find me at random California League games throughout the season!
The gold standard of organizations, the Los Angeles Dodgers. They do every part of the process well: they draft well, they sign well, they scout well, and they can supplement their roster with stars because people want to play for the Dodgers. The top of their organization is headlined by Dalton Rushing, who is currently getting a crash course in being a big league catcher and being a pivotal part of a team trying to win a World Series. Then they have a glut of interesting outfield prospects, headlined by Zyhir Hope, Josue De Paula, and Eduardo Quintero. The Dodgers have scouted players so well that they can trade for players recently drafted by other organizations. They have done this with Zyhir Hope and another top 10 prospect in their system, Mike Sirota. With unlimited money and tremendous prospect capital, the Dodgers are becoming a fully functioning Death Star.
About Our Top 20 Lists
Prospects Live, led by its evaluating team & Director of Scouting Rhys White, is proud to begin rolling out its annual offseason system reports. The team combines industry feedback, our live looks, film, and available data to compile each org. We believe this effort has enabled us to present you, the reader, with our best possible view of the prospects in the organization.
We have constructed this list using the Overall Future Potential (OFP) scale. There is no perfect equation for ranking prospects or assigning value to them, but we believe this method is the best possible approach. Every prospect on this list has been graded based on the tried and true 20-80 scouting scale. An 80 is the highest tool and OFP grade on the scale, reserved for MVP-caliber players or tools. Conversely, a 20 is reserved for non-prospects (NPs). A 50 OFP falls in the middle, indicating our evaluators deem this player a future average major league player. Below the 50 OFP tier are the 45s and 40s, comprising a large majority of players on each list. These are specific-role players, such as platoon hitters, utility players, or low-leverage relievers. Above the 50 OFP tier are the 55s and 60s. A 55 represents a future above-average player, and a 60 OFP designation is reserved for future All-Star caliber players.
In addition to the tool grades and OFP, we will also include a 'Risk' associated with each prospect. We use this to better communicate to you, the reader, whether a grade is more aggressive or conservative in nature. The evaluation team has worked hard to apply both the grades and risk components to better illustrate how each individual prospect stacks up in their respective system and in the baseball ecosystem.
The Dodgers drafted Will Smith years ago from Louisville, and he has become one of the game's premier catchers. In 2022, the Dodgers did it again when they drafted Dalton Rushing. Rushing has been moved slowly for a prospect, but a lot of that is because of the Dodgers and not his talent, plus a few injuries along the way. Rushing is a physically imposing athlete with enough beef to stay behind the dish. He is a decent blocker and has made strides as a receiver since I saw him in Single-A. He has an above-average arm, which has helped him, especially as the Dodgers have tried to find spots for him, like in a corner outfield. He looked solid in left field, and if that is his ultimate path to playing time in a loaded organization, he will more than hold his own there. With the bat, he has made impressive strides as a contact hitter, with improved plate coverage to go along with a slightly more selective approach that has unlocked what was already plus game power and has made it double-plus. He has a very pull-heavy approach, but that doesn't mean he won't go the other way. There is more than enough breaking ball recognition and strike-zone recognition here that as he faces the best breaking balls in the world, he has a feel for knowing which ones to spoil and which ones to turn and do damage with. When Rushing makes contact, it is loud contact, as it always feels like he is barreling up pitches; we project him to be a potential 30+ home run bat during his peak years. With the bumps and bruises that come with playing catcher, don't be surprised if Dalton Rushing catches a lot for the Dodgers going forward because having two quality catchers who are middle-of-the-order bats that can also go elsewhere and stay in the lineup is just so valuable. - Rhys White
Dynasty Outlook
Rushing reached the majors this season, but the log jam at both catcher (Smith) and DH (Ohtani) have predictably limited his opportunities. When he has gotten them, he hasn’t done much with them. The prospect fatigue is definitely building with Rushing, and now is a great time to see if you can buy low. Just understand that it could take some time for it to pay off. - Taylor Corso
As Director of Pro Scouting, I lead a talented group of evaluators as we break down future stars. You can find me at random California League games throughout the season!
As Director of Pro Scouting, I lead a talented group of evaluators as we break down future stars. You can find me at random California League games throughout the season!
Been a baseball fan and player my whole life, played dynasty for 10 years. Co-host on the Dynasty Baseball Pickups podcast since mid-season 2023 and joined Prospects Live at the start of 2024.
A Giants fan living in San Diego, been playing fantasy baseball since 2005 and dynasty since 2021. Started the Dynasty Baseball Pickups podcast in June 2023 and joined Prospects Live in March of 2024.
Been a baseball fan and player my whole life, played dynasty for 10 years. Co-host on the Dynasty Baseball Pickups podcast since mid-season 2023 and joined Prospects Live at the start of 2024.
