How Has James Outman Played in Triple-A Since Dodgers Demotion?
The Los Angeles Dodgers optioned James Outman to Triple-A on May 17 following his massive struggles at the MLB level.
Outman was slashing just .147/.250/.266 with three home runs and 10 runs batted in. He had 40 strikeouts and an OPS of just .516. He clearly needed some time in Triple-A.
Since being demoted, Outman has started to look more like his old self. In 27 games, the former seventh-round pick is slashing .291/.419/.563 with seven home runs and 18 RBIs. He also has 19 walks, five stolen bases, and an OPS of .982.
Outman is continuing to get more confidence while with Oklahoma City. He didn’t earn a call-up when Mookie Betts went on the injured list, but he’ll almost certainly get called back up at some point this season, especially in the event of another injury.
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said back in May when Outman was demoted: “There’s something to getting out of this performance-based environment and just going out there and playing baseball. Once we can get him back on track, then we can get him back here.”
Outman definitely appears to be back on track, but he’ll now wait his turn to earn a spot back on the major league roster. For now, though, he just needs to continue slugging.
Photo Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
Who needs Nolan Arenado after watching a 4 year younger Ryan McMahon these past 4 days? As for Cavan Biggio, please DFA him again. Andy Pages is NOT a top notch defensive centerfielder, but has offensive potential especially if he stops leg kicking. Hitting principles say to STAY BACK, and see the ball-spin before committing your swing motion/body parts . As of yesterday, he’s still leg kicking, which has him moving before the pitcher releases the ball, which has him committed, and ‘out front.’ No wonder he’s late and can’t catch up to HI HEAT! Are the Dodger hitting coaches aware of this? So simple to see, and if Pages can correct this obvious negative hitting issue, he’ll be more of a threat offensively. We still say the Dodger outfield needs a proven outfielder to solidify the centerfold position. We believe 28 year old Lane Thomas, with 5 tools, is the answer, and if the Nationals are not competitive as the season wears on, LA should trade Outman, and/or pitching prospects, to get him, or wait until the off-season when he’ll be a FA.
I think that Outman can get his swag back, if he just keeps playing through it, and having fun.
Arenado at 33 in that rapidly declining but still paid like a superstar phase of his career, and signed for 3 more years after this one. All those dummies hankering for us to trade for him the last 2 years should notice he’s on pace for 13 HRs and 65 RBIs, under .700 OPS.
AGREE! ARENADO NOW IS TOO OLD, LESS PRODUCTIVE, & NOT THE ANSWER. AT 29, MCMAHON COULD BE THE 3RD BASE ANSWER, ITS DEFINITELY A HOLE TO FILL WITH OLDER DODGER PLAYERS PRESENTLY MANNING THE POSITION WHO ARE NOT PROVEN 3RD BASEMEN. SAME FOR THE KEY SHORTSTOP POSITION. BETTS IS OUT OF POSITION AT SS & WOULD BE A GREAT FIT AT 2ND BASE. WE WILL NEVER FORGIVE THE GENIUSES IN THE DODGERS FRONT OFFICE FOR ALLOWING COREY SEAGER TO LEAVE! THEY HAD THE MONEY TO KEEP HIM BUT DIDN’T PULL THE TRIGGER. CENTERFIELD IS ANOTHER KEY POSITION THAT IS PROBLEMATIC FOR LA. WE’VE SAID GO GET THE NATIONALS’ LANE THOMAS . HE’S YOUNG, & MLB EXPERIENCED, WITH 5 TOOLS & READY TO BREAK THEM OUT. HE WILL SOLIDIFY, DEFENSIVELY & OFFENSIVELY, THE CENTERFIELD POSITION AND OUTFIELD CORE AS A WHOLE!
Outman should be held on to for now. He is a really good defender. And he is having a decent stay at OKC. He may be back soon. He has hit seven homers since he has been down and hit a rocket to center for one of them.