The Los Angeles Dodgers are loaded at just about every position. They improved at about every spot during free agency, but one position that does not get enough love is behind the plate.
Both Will Smith and Austin Barnes have been fantastic, but they have another player that has been turning some heads.
Hunter Feduccia, who was included in the Dodgers’ 31-man Tokyo roster, has had a good spring and may be playing himself off the roster.
Former MLB Executive and current national MLB writer for The Athletic, Jim Bowden, suggested that Feduccia could end up being a trade candidate in his latest piece on rising players for each team during Spring Training.
Hunter Feduccia Could Be A Potential Trade Candidate For Los Angeles Dodgers
Feduccia has spent most of his time in the Dodgers farm system but has begun getting recognized, especially with Smith dealing with an ankle injury.
What makes Feduccia expendable is the fact that he probably isn’t even their top prospect at the position. That title belongs to 24-year-old Dalton Rushing, which leads Bowden to the idea of Feduccia potentially hitting the trade block.
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“The Dodgers are loaded at catcher with Will Smith and Austin Barnes at the major-league level and Dalton Rushing, their top prospect, in the minors. But don’t sleep on Feduccia, who is another top-catching prospect. Regardless of whether he gets a chance with the Dodgers, the 27-year-old will be a starting catcher for someone at some point and could be used as a trade asset at the deadline.”
Feduccia is a left-handed hitter and has batted .313 with a home run and seven RBIs in 16 spring at-bats.
Dodgers GM Brandon Gomes said of Feduccia:
“Feduccia has really stood out this spring. He’s shown an ability to conduct an at-bat at a high level; he’s really dialed in to get off his ‘A’ swing. Defensively, he’s receiving the ball well, and you can tell there’s a different comfort level when handling the pitching staff.”
The Dodgers farm system continues to remain one of the best in baseball, and Hunter Feduccia is just another prime example. If he ends up getting any screen time in the Tokyo Series, he can really put his talent on display for the entire world.
We have a long way to go before the MLB trade deadline, but the Dodgers will certainly have options if they need to upgrade any positions mid-season.