From MLB Pipeline late season 2022
James
Outman
OF, Los Angeles Dodgers
James Outman.
AGE
25
BATS
L
DOB
05/14/1997
THROWS
R
HT
6' 3"
DRAFTED
2018, 7th (224) - LAD
WT
215
ETA
2022
Scouting grades: Hit: 45 | Power: 55 | Run: 60 | Arm: 60 | Field: 60 | Overall: 50
Though Outman batted just .249 in three seasons at Sacramento State, the Dodgers bought into his intriguing all-around tools and selected him in the seventh round of the 2018 Draft. He began to break out with 11 homers in the final month of the 2019 season in Low-A and took another step forward in the second half of 2021, batting .297/.392/.568 while advancing to Double-A. He built on that momentum in the Arizona Fall League and claimed a spot on the 40-man roster.
Outman began to perform better at the plate as he gained a better understanding of his left-handed swing. He still aggressively looks to launch balls to his pull side, but slowing things down enabled him to chase fewer pitches out of the zone and access his plus raw power more consistently. He still strikes out too much to post high batting averages, though he compensates by drawing plenty of walks and hit by pitches.
One of the best athletes in the system, Outman is a 6-foot-3, 215-pounder with plus speed and arm strength. He has aptitude for stealing bases and swiped 23 in 27 attempts last season. He has instincts to go with his quickness in center field and provides plus defense at any of the three outfield spots.