Dodgers Digest Los Angeles Dodgers Baseball Blog
The Dodgers recently honored top prospects Dalton Rushing and Jackson Ferris as their 2024 Branch Rickey Minor League Players of the Year. Rushing received the distinction of Minor League Player of the Year, which Michael Busch won last year. Ferris was named the Minor League Pitcher of the Year, which went to Kyle Hurt in 2023.
The two are arguably the top talents in the Dodgers’ system on their respective sides of the ball. Rushing was the No. 2 prospect on our Midseason Dodgers Prospects List while Ferris slotted into the No. 6 spot.
#Dodgers prospect Jackson Ferris (Branch Rickey Minor League Pitcher of the Year) and Dalton Rushing (Player of the Year) are at Dodger Stadium today. pic.twitter.com/Vq8rnpNSY5
— Dodger Blue (@DodgerBlue1958) September 20, 2024
Rushing, a second round pick in 2022, began the 2024 season with Double-A Tulsa. Despite being new to the level this year, Rushing forced his way to a Triple-A promotion after only 77 games with the Drillers. He continued his success following his move to Oklahoma City, finishing the season with a total .270/.383/.501/.884 slash line across 112 games.
A catcher by trade, Rushing worked to add a new position to his profile in the midst of his dominance at the plate. He played his first 30 professional games in left field, which will be important as Rushing battles for a Major League call-up in 2025. He improved behind the plate as well when he got the chance to play his natural position, establishing that he can likely become a passable Major League catcher.
Rushing has hit 47 home runs in 231 minor league games since he was drafted. The former Louisville Cardinal is ranked as the No. 36 prospect in baseball, according to MLB Pipeline. He is a high-floor hitter who should be getting on base while hitting for power consistently in the majors for many years to come.
My goodness, Dalton Rushing!
— Bruce Kuntz (@Bnicklaus7) August 28, 2024
The top #Dodgers prospect has homered twice tonight. He has three hits and five RBI in the game.
Rushing is batting .343 with a 1.085 OPS since being promoted to Triple-A. pic.twitter.com/q1NwArML22
Ferris was acquired in the offseason as one of the two prospects in the return for Busch and Yency Almonte. The 20-year-old southpaw had a remarkable first year in the organization, tossing 126 1/3 innings with a 3.20 ERA and 27.4% strikeout rate. His numbers look even better when considering that his final seven starts of the year came in Double-A, where he was more than four years younger than the average Texas League player.
Following a bumpy first three starts in the cold Michigan weather to begin the season, Ferris found his groove, pitching to a 2.80 ERA the rest of the way. The 2022 second rounder’s best stretch came from July 7 to August 20, when Ferris posted a 0.76 ERA across eight starts — including his first three Double-A outings.
Ferris accomplished a ton in his 20-year-old season, and it is clear that the Dodgers found a gem in their trade last winter. He still might need until 2026 to reach the majors, but if he continues his pace from this year, a debut before his 22nd birthday is not out of the question. Ferris has shown rapid improvement so far in his professional career that only accelerated after he landed with his current organization.
#Dodgers LHP prospect Jackson Ferris tossed five shutout innings for Tulsa last night
— Bruce Kuntz (@Bnicklaus7) August 15, 2024
Through two Double-A starts, Ferris has allowed only one run and seven hits through 10 2/3 innings pic.twitter.com/7Yb97tUFTH
