Dodgers’ James Outman Named to MLB Rookie All-Star Team by Baseball Digest
James Outman was flying far enough under the radar this time a year ago, the Dodgers’ young outfielder couldn’t crack a single Top-100 prospect list.
Within months, Outman was starting in center field on Opening Day, a job he held onto throughout the 2023 season. Now, after finishing third in National League Rookie of the Year voting, Outman can’t escape the notice of national listmakers.
The latest? Baseball Digest, which named Outman to its MLB Rookie All-Star team as revealed in its current January/February 2024 issue.
Outman, 26, batted .248 with 23 home runs and 70 RBIs in his first full season in the majors. Thanks in part to a steady glove that improved over the course of the season, Outman held his spot in the lineup despite midseason struggles that suppressed his final numbers at the plate.
Outman also took advantage of MLB’s new rules designed to encourage more action on the base paths, finishing 16-for-19 in stolen base attempts. Recently, he was reported to receive a $580,948 bonus from MLB’s pre-arbitration bonus pool for eligible players.
The other 10 players Baseball America chose for the Rookie All-Star Team include several more heralded prospects from around the league:
Outman’s strong rookie year eliminated one area of need from the Dodgers’ expensive off-season wish list. Now, they can look forward to watching Outman improve on his outstanding rookie year in 2024.
Photo Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
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Outman came up last year as a no name, at least I’d never heard of him. To my eyes he progressed as the season went on and had a good, solid, major league season. Not a world beater, not a future HOF’er, but a good, competent major leaguer. Yeah, everyone wants or wants they’re guy to be a future HOF lock, but those are few and far between. A solid, professional season as a rookie is not easy to do. Hopefully he’ll continue and be even better next year.