The Los Angeles Dodgers' farm system has been top-heavy with catchers in recent years. Will Smith's stellar performance in 2025 and longtime former Dodgers backstop Austin Barnes limited the team's need for them.
Los Angeles on January 9 traded top catching prospect Diego Cartaya to the Minnesota Twins to clear some of its catching logjam. The Dodgers prioritized Dalton Rushing's development, which paid off, as he's been in the big leagues since May 14.
The trade to the Twins didn't pan out well for Cartaya. Minnesota released the 23-year-old on July 23 after a rough first half in Triple-A.