James Outman had a breakout rookie year in 2023, but the start to his sophomore season was, well, atrocious. Outman struggled significantly at the start of the 2024 season, leading to his eventual demotion to AAA Oklahoma City. The Dodgers were hesitant to send Outman down, as he has star potential and the move could have hampered his career and risked him never being the same. That fear seems to have been alleviated as Outman’s recent statistics indicate that he may have rediscovered his form, raising speculation about his potential return to the major leagues. Here is a quick James Outman update:
Outman’s Performance in 2024
Before being sent down, Outman faced considerable challenges in the 2024 season with stat lines that were as bad as any Dodger player in recent memory:
- Games Played (GP): 36
- At-Bats (AB): 109
- Runs (R): 10
- Hits (H): 16
- Doubles (2B): 4
- Triples (3B): 0
- Home Runs (HR): 3
- RBIs: 10
- Walks (BB): 13
- Strikeouts (SO): 40
- Stolen Bases (SB): 2
- Batting Average (AVG): .147
- On-Base Percentage (OBP): .250
- Slugging Percentage (SLG): .266
- On-Base Plus Slugging (OPS): .516
- Wins Above Replacement (WAR): -0.7
These stats were a drastic decline from his successful rookie campaign, where he posted a .248 batting average, 23 home runs, and a 3.3 WAR in 151 games.
Outman’s Recent Performance in AAA
Since being sent down, however, Outman has posted more respectable numbers. In his last 10 games, though he has cooled off a bit, he is still performing decently:
- At-Bats (AB): 31
- Runs (R): 12
- Hits (H): 7
- Total Bases (TB): 13
- Doubles (2B): 1
- Triples (3B): 1
- Home Runs (HR): 1
- RBIs: 5
- Walks (BB): 8
- Strikeouts (SO): 6
- Batting Average (AVG): .226
- On-Base Percentage (OBP): .366
- Slugging Percentage (SLG): .419
These stats suggest that while Outman has cooled off, he is still making solid contributions and showing signs of the player the Dodgers hope he can be.
Roster Considerations and Trade Speculations
While Outman’s resurgence is promising, the Dodgers face a significant roster crunch. Andy Pages has taken over in center field since being promoted and has been performing admirably. With the Dodgers’ outfield depth and limited roster spots, finding a place for Outman remains challenging. The Dodgers’ 40-man roster mechanics are already complex, with frequent use of waivers, DFA, and the disabled list to manage their roster. This makes it even tougher for Outman to secure a spot without displacing another player.
Given this scenario, Outman may become a valuable trade candidate. His recent performance in AAA could make him an attractive option for teams looking for outfield help, especially if the Dodgers aim to address other needs, such as pitching depth or infield reinforcement. The Dodgers’ front office, known for its strategic depth and resourcefulness, might leverage Outman’s potential to bolster their roster elsewhere.
Conclusion
James Outman’s struggles at the start of 2024 led to a stint in AAA, but his recent performance indicates that he may have regained his form. As he continues to perform reasonably well in Oklahoma City, the Dodgers will undoubtedly keep a close eye on him, ready to bring him back when the opportunity arises or use him as a trade asset. For now, Outman’s focus remains on sustaining his success and proving that he is ready to contribute at the major league level once again.