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Dodgers Predicted to Quickly Replace Dalton Rushing With 33 Home Run Catcher

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Jon Conahan | Last updated Jun 29, 2025 1:15 PM ET

The Los Angeles Dodgers have the 40th and 41st picks in the 2025 MLB draft. The Dodgers only have two supplemental first-round pick, with none in the first 27 picks because they exceeded the competitive balance tax threshold.

When looking at who they could select, MLB.com recently predicted that they’d land on a catcher, which would be a somewhat questionable decision with Will Smith and Dalton Rushing now up.

MLB.com predicted them to draft Luke Stevenson, the 33rd-ranked prospect in the 2025 MLB draft. Stevenson, a catcher out of North Carolina, has shown off some big-time power in his bat.

“Stevenson could have signed for top-five-rounds money as a North Carolina high schooler in 2023. He opted instead to stay local and play for the Tar Heels, claimed North Carolina's starting job as a freshman and slammed 14 homers before playing with the U.S. collegiate national team during the summer. He went deep 19 times this spring as a sophomore and is one of the best catching prospects available, though he comes with some questions about his hitting ability after posting a .251 batting average and 24 percent strikeout rate,” they wrote.

A Team USA alum, Stevenson did nothing but swing the bat at a very high level throughout his time at North Carolina. He's regarded as one of the top power hitters in the draft, and arguably the best catcher. If the Dodgers want to take the best player available at pick 40, there's reason to believe he could be the option.

He only played in two seasons at North Carolina and hit 33 home runs, posting a .960 OPS.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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