James Outman’s Status for Dodgers’ Japan Trip Has Been Revealed
The Los Angeles Dodgers informed outfielder James Outman he will be joining the team in Japan for the Tokyo Series against the Chicago Cubs at the Tokyo Dome, per The Athletic’s Fabian Ardaya.
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Outman’s status on the active roster is not known at this time. The outfielder is one of many players competing for a roster spot. Andy Pages and Hyeseong Kim are among those competing for a spot.
The 27-year-old has debuted a new swing this spring, but has recently struggled at the plate.
“Early on, he looked really comfortable with kind of a little revamped swing,” manager Dave Roberts said. “But right now, he’s swinging and missing a lot. I don’t know if he’s pressing. He just doesn’t look as comfortable.”
The 2024 season was filled adversity for Outman as he was optioned in May after he slashed .147/.256/.265. Outman struck out 35.3 percent of the time last season. The outfielder’s performance was surprising given his rookie campaign had gone so differently.
In 2023, Outman hit .248 with 23 home runs, 70 RBIs, and a 3.3 WAR. He finished third in Rookie of the Year voting, an indication he would be one of the Dodgers’ brightest stars in the near future.
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Outman is hitting .174 with two RBIs and two stolen bases across 23 Cactus League at-bats. The outfielder hit his first spring training home run in Sunday’s 7-5 loss to the Athletics.
Photo Credit: Joe Camporeale-Imagn Images
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#33 I really hope this finds you. The answer to your hitting woes is in your memory. Think about it. Do not over exam it. Just reflect on “your” past comfort and success. It will come to you. Enjoy your trip to Japan. It is a beautiful land, a comfortable place to open yourself, your mind.
Unless he sees a steady diet of fastballs as he did early in his rookie year, that comfort and success are gone. The new reworked swing has potential but he needs reps to make it successful. Beginning the season in AAA wouldn’t be the worst thing for him, even if to increase trade value.
Congratulations, Outman. But this year may be his last chance. Only those who can make the most of their opportunities turn their dreams into a reality, so I wish him the best.
This definitely feels like the last year for him to prove he can compete at the MLB level.
There is clearly something unseen that’s keeping him in the running. As a rookie he had one good month. 27 is too old to be a developmental project with so many other prospects available. Other teams see this or he would be trade bait. Cut him loose so he can play regularly.
One good month?
His OPS was .790 for the full season, with 23 HRs while playing quality defense. All of which led to a 3rd place finish in ROY balloting. The only teammates who played in more games were Mookie and Freddie.
If Outman can get back close to his rookie numbers, he’d be starting in CF and Edman would be at 2B.
April was clearly his best month as a rookie. Scouting has caused Outman to be pitched to differently and he hasn’t adequately adjusted. If he can make reasonably consistent contact, he could be a useful 4th OF’er. Any more than that would be a surprise in my opinion.
If you look at his swing, you can see where the hole is and with how scouting is these days, it’s easy to figure out where to pitch him.