Red Sox Reportedly Have ‘Interest’ In Recent Top Prospect

The Boston Red Sox reportedly have interest in one recent top prospect ahead of Major League Baseball’s trade deadline on July 31.

It’s a good time for them to have it, too, because they’ll see plenty of the player over the weekend.

MassLive’s Sean McAdam released a notebook chock-full of information regarding the upcoming deadline, revealing the club has interest centered around Los Angeles Dodgers catcher Dalton Rushing. LA even has scouts doing “extensive work” in Boston’s minor league ranks, which “could be a sign of advancing talks” between the two sides.

Rushing, 24, was considered by many to be the Dodgers’ top prospect before being promoted to the majors in mid-May. It’s been a rough start for the former second-round pick, though, who has slashed 216/.280/.297 across 27 games, with an absurdly high strikeout rate (41.5 percent) and a slightly-above-average average exit velocity (90.9).

Los Angeles rightfully still has faith in the backup, though.

“(Rushing) has the tools to become one of baseball’s more dynamic catchers with plus raw power, strong plate discipline, ample speed and an above-average arm,” Baseball America’s Mark Chiarelli recently wrote. 

Connor Wong has quite literally been the least valuable bat in baseball this season, so it comes as no surprise to hear the Red Sox are looking for an upgrade behind Carlos Narváez. The Dodgers don’t seem to have much of a reason to trade Rushing, however, as the expected return in any deal would consist of players who won’t be ready to contribute for at least a couple of more seasons.

Narváez obviously needs to get off his feet, though, so if the organization can find a way for him to do that while also addressing a long-term need in the process, they’ll do it.

Boston and Los Angeles will kickstart a three-game set at Fenway Park on Friday. NESN has full coverage of the bookend games, with first pitch for the opener scheduled for 7:10 p.m. ET.