Three Los Angeles Dodgers prospects made significant leaps in MLB Pipeline’s latest Top 100 rankings, including one who cracked the Top 20 and another who may soon address a long-standing organizational need.
3 Los Angeles Dodgers Shoot Up Prospect Rankings
Dalton Rushing, the Dodgers’ top-ranked prospect for the second straight year, vaulted from No. 25 to No. 15 in Pipeline’s updated list. The 24-year-old catcher, a 2022 first-round pick (40th overall), has continued to impress with Triple-A Oklahoma City, where he’s slashing .304/.421/.490. While blocked at catcher by All-Star Will Smith, Rushing has added versatility this season, logging innings at both first base and left field.
Already considered a consensus Top-30 prospect entering the 2025 season, Rushing’s climb came after several players ahead of him graduated from prospect status, with MLB Pipeline releasing its midseason update on Sunday.
Shortstop Alex Freeland also saw a notable jump, climbing from No. 63 to No. 48. The 23-year-old is quietly excelling at Triple-A Oklahoma City, where he’s slashing .270/.369/.412 and has committed just one error in 108 chances at shortstop. Freeland has also seen action at second and third base, showing the kind of defensive versatility that could accelerate his path to the majors.
The Dodgers haven’t developed many everyday middle infielders over the last decade. Corey Seager, now with the Texas Rangers, was the most successful, earning Rookie of the Year honors, two All-Star nods, and a World Series MVP before departing in free agency. Gavin Lux, once seen as the next in line, was traded to the Reds in January and has primarily played left field in Cincinnati.
Outfielder Zyhir Hope also climbed the rankings, jumping from No. 66 to No. 45. The 20-year-old has been electric with Class-A Great Lakes, posting a .286/.375/.516 slash line with six home runs and 27 RBIs through his first 33 games of 2025. Hope, acquired from the Cubs in the January 2024 trade that sent Michael Busch and Yency Almonte to Chicago, is now one of four Dodgers prospects ranked in MLB Pipeline’s Top 50, joining Josue De Paula (No. 33), Rushing, and Freeland.
Once known for developing the homegrown core that helped win the 2020 World Series, the Dodgers have leaned more on marquee free-agent signings to fuel their 2024 title run. But with a new wave of talent rising, the pendulum could be swinging back—toward a prospect pipeline that’s starting to produce again.