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Red Sox Expressing Interest in Dodgers' 24-Year-Old Former No. 1 Prospect

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Matthew Sullivan | Last updated Jul 25, 2025 1:05 PM ET

With the MLB trade deadline approaching, the Boston Red Sox are making calls and identifying players they're interested in. While they want to add a first baseman and a starting pitcher, they have another position of interest.

According to Sean McAdam of Masslive.com, the Red Sox want to improve their backup catcher position. One of the players that McAdam revealed was of interest to Boston is from the Los Angeles Dodgers.

"According to one source with some knowledge of the matter," McAdam writes, "the Red Sox' interest is centered around L.A. catcher Dalton Rushing."

Rushing, the 24-year-old former top Dodgers prospect, was called up this season to replace Austin Hedges on the big league roster. He's backed up Will Smith since, and now, the Red Sox are interested in bringing him in.

With Carlos Narvaez, the Red Sox aren't looking for a starting catcher, but rather backup. The reason is clear, their current backup, Connor Wong, has struggled this season.

Through his 90 at-bats this season, Wong has just one RBI and a paltry .372 OPS. He is 0-30 with runners in scoring position. Simply put, the backup catcher spot in Boston has been a net-negative.

In his 27 games for the Dodgers this season, Rushing is hitting .216 with a .577 OPS. While not incredible, it's a big step-up from Wong's production this season.

What makes this report so interesting is that the Red Sox, in looking for a new backup catcher, are looking to land one of the best options possible in Rushing.

He's a rookie and would surely cost a lot to land. But if the Dodgers are open to moving him, the 24-year-old would be a significant improvement over the struggling Wong.

Even if the Red Sox can't land Rushing, their interest in a backup catcher is something to monitor as the deadline approaches.

Finding a Wong replacement is one of the top needs for Boston, and with their interest in Rushing, they are willing to spend to improve the position.

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

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