Dodgers Team News

Rookie James Outman Emotional After Being Named to Dodgers Opening Day Roster for First Time

On Thursday, Dave Roberts and the Dodgers got it right. Roberts announced that impressive young outfielder James Outman would be on the team’s opening day roster, and he couldn’t be more deserving.

Outman has been one of the better hitters for the team this spring, hitting .295 with two home runs, 10 RBIs and an OPS of .930 in 44 at-bats. He’s also shown off the arm in right field, and has been a huge boost in the lineup no matter where he’s hitting.



Outman got the news just before Roberts spoke to the media, and said he couldn’t really believe it when it happened.

“I was expecting to cry or something, but I didn’t,” Outman said. “I was kind of like, ‘Whoa.’ It was pretty surreal. Kind of felt like a dream, like, did that really just happen?”

Juan Toribio, MLB.com

It’s hard to blame Outman for feeling that way, as it seemed like his spot on the roster could be in doubt if for no other reason than the fact that he still had options. But, in the end, his play made it impossible to keep him off the roster, and on Thursday, that’s pretty much what Roberts said.

“We have to make decisions based on who the best players are,” Roberts said, “and he’s one of the 13 best (position) players in our organization.”

Fabian Ardaya, The Athletic

That’s high praise for the 25-year-old, but it’s absolutely deserving. Last year, when Outman burst onto the scene and hit .462 over his one week in the big leagues, he made it known that he could compete at that level. His one issue was the strikeouts, but he was able to significantly lower them thus far this spring.

It got to a point where it would’ve been detrimental for the team to leave Outman off the roster — and I think the fans would have rioted.

But fortunately, no one has to riot, because Roberts and the Dodgers got it right. Outman is going to be on the opening day roster, and if his bat remains as hot as it’s been, I think he deserves to be in the opening day lineup.

As for Outman, he’s happy to finally get this step of his big league career out of the way, but he’s far from finished improving.

“I think everybody’s got their own little journey,” Outman said. “For myself, this isn’t the end goal. This is just another step along the way. And I’m excited.”

Jack Harris, LA Times

We’re excited too, James.

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Noah Camras

Noah is an Editor for Dodgers Nation. He graduated from USC in 2022 with a B.A. in Journalism and minor in Sports Media Studies. He's been a Dodger fan his whole life, and his all-time favorite Dodgers are Matt Kemp and Russell Martin.

One Comment

  1. Outman’s ” Emotional”!?
    …… I’m ” EMOTIONAL” !!

    Thank the BB Gawds for this – Todd Hollandsworth to Sean Green type player! I was ( we all) going to riot if TT and FT3 were starting over outman!

    Vargas has showed great patience at the plate. He’s hitting 230, yet couldn’t swing for a week! Lol. He would be hitting 300 ( if u avg in the no-swing games). Betts FF fresh prince, and Muncy will be somewhere between a good or avg 5th hitter, to a- above avg or great 6 hitter. ( Imo).

    (1) Betts
    (2)Vargas
    (3) FF
    (4) Smith
    (5) Max/outman
    (6) outman/ max
    (7) JD/JWood
    (8) Rojas { better here than 9th}
    (9) Peralta/FT3/Pages/TT-[ if and when outman gets optioned if after a ice cold steak, and when FT3 gets hurt or fired or Pages needs another 1/2 season in AAA]>

    Barnes will hit 2,6,7,9 when Smith hits DH.

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