LA Dodgers select Louisville catcher Dalton Rushing with 40th pick
Dalton Rushing ended Sunday night as an MLB draft pick.
Louisville's junior catcher was selected by the LA Dodgers to start the second round with the 40th pick, becoming the 95th player to be drafted under Cardinals head coach Dan McDonnell. It's also the 16th straight year the Cardinals have had at least one player taken in the draft. Last year, seven Louisville players were drafted, including catcher Henry Davis, the program's first No. 1 draft pick.
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Rushing's selection comes with a $1,950,900 slot value as part of the Dodgers' $4,221,400 bonus pool. He likely heads to the pros after helping the Cardinals to a 42-21-1 season and super regional appearance. The Tennessee native set out to help the program get back on track after missing the NCAA tournament in 2021, which he accomplished. He batted .310 with 62 RBIs, 23 home runs, 68 runs scored and four stolen bases. He was two home runs shy of tying Chris Dominguez's single-season record.
The Dodgers' first pick came at No. 40 instead of 30 after the team exceeding the competitive balance tax threshold as well as losing two picks after signing free agent Freddie Freeman. The Dodgers' next picks will be Nos. 105, 135, 165, 195, 225, 255, 285 and 315.
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Rushing was also the first Louisville player taken in the draft, but not expected to be the last. Left-handed pitcher Michael Prosecky ranked 180th among draft prospects after posting a 2-1 record and 3.38 ERA with 44 strikeouts in 26 appearances this spring. Third baseman Ben Metzinger and centerfielder Levi Usher, who was named a Rawlings Gold Glove Award winner, are expected to get drafted as well.
But he wasn't the only player with Cardinals ties taken on the first night. JUCO prospect Cam Collier (Chipola College), who is committed to Louisville, was taken 18th overall by the Cincinnati Reds, and right-handed pitching prospect and fellow Cards commit Jacob Miller (Liberty Union High School, Ohio) was taken 46th overall by Miami.
This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: UofL catcher Dalton Rushing goes 40th to Dodgers in MLB Draft
