As the Los Angeles Dodgers’ seventh-round pick from the 2018 MLB Draft, James Outman saw his 2022 season showcase quite a year of growth and big league prowess.
After years of development in the organization’s lower levels, Outman began the year in Double-A Tulsa and earned a promotion to Triple-A Oklahoma City after posting a solid .295 batting average with 16 home runs and 45 RBI in 68 games with the Drillers.
After one month with the OKC Dodgers, Outman was called up to the big leagues and made his MLB debut on July 31, going 3-for-4 with a double, home run and three RBI against the Colorado Rockies.
Although his time in the Majors was short-lived, only lasting four games before being sent back down to Triple-A, Outman went 6-for-13 at the plate in his stint with the Dodgers.
For the 13th-ranked Dodgers prospect, his solid year in the minors (including 31 home runs between Double-A and Triple-A) was solidified by his total numbers with Oklahoma City. Outman batted a .292/.390/627 with 15 home runs, 61 RBI and impressive 1.017 OPS for OKC.
James Outman’s 2022 highlight
In addition to an overall solid season at the plate for Oklahoma City, Outman made headlines on August 30 as he collected an improbable second cycle in just four games.
After racking up an already momentous 5-for-5 at the plate with a single, double, two triples, home run on August 26 against the El Paso Chihuahuas, the Triple-A affiliate of the San Diego Padres, the former Sacramento State product collected the cycle again on August 30 by going 4-for-4 against the Round Rock Express (Texas Rangers).
Outman became the first professional player since Christian Yelich to collect the cycle twice in the same season, most impressively though, he did it in the same week.
2023 outlook
Outman displayed in limited time that he could thrive if given the opportunity at the Major League level. Especially after non-tendering Cody Bellinger, and not re-signing Joey Gallo, Outman could be a potential fit to fill a vacated outfield position for the Dodgers in 2023.
While Trayce Thompson is a solid option, perhaps Outman is another suitor to earn big league playing time in the outfield, unless L.A. signs a free agent.
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