Burst Upon the Scene – That's James Outman
When Joc Pederson was in AA, I predicted that he would be “ no more than a 4th or 5th outfielder. ” In some ways, I was right. Joc was, is, and always will be a platoon player. That is unless he suddenly figures out how to hit lefthanders. In other ways, I was wrong in that Joc…
When Joc Pederson was in AA, I predicted that he would be “no more than a 4th or 5th outfielder.” In some ways, I was right. Joc was, is, and always will be a platoon player. That is unless he suddenly figures out how to hit lefthanders. In other ways, I was wrong in that Joc has surpassed anything that I anticipated for him.
Up until today, when James Outman became the only player in Dodgers franchise history to debut with a HR, 3 Hits, 3 RBI, and 2 Runs, I felt the same about Outman.
That was before James stepped into a phone booth and put on his Superman Cape. Of course, one game does not a career make, but what a start! James Outman is no overnight sensation – this has been years in the making. James was drafted in 2018 and hit .264 at Ogden. In 2019, he hit .226 at Great Lakes as they overhauled his swing, but then he missed the entire COVID-19 2020 Season. In 2021, between Tulsa and Great Lakes, he hit.266 and flashed some power with 18 HR. However, the makeover of his swing continued into this season as he started at Tulsa and ended up at OKC before debuting with the Dodgers yesterday.
James Outman can play all three outfield positions and has a good arm, but his bat has caught up to his speed and skills. I still think he is a #4 or #5 outfielder-type, but that’s pretty dang good. He could be the guy the Dodgers have been looking for since Joc left. Of course, as I said, one game really tells us nothing. If we were judging Trayce Thompson on his first game back, he might not be here.
Welcome to the Show, James Outman – You made it! Boy, did you! Tonight, James will be back in the lineup, as Doc stacks the lineup with lefties against Sindley Whiplash. James is a very smart, coachable, and driven young man and has taken to MLB like a fish to water. Here he talks about the whole experience:
It’s August 1st and the Clock is ticking until tomorrow’s trade deadline, but James Outman is a great example of maybe trading a player BEFORE he develops. Sometimes the guy you trade is better than the guy you get. And… sometimes, the best trades are the ones you don’t make.
Future Dodgers Down on the Farm
- OKC won 5-4
- Ryan Pepiot went seven innings and allowed five hits and 2 ER as he extended his record to 8-0 (2.27 ERA).
- Carson Fulmer got the save after walking three and striking out 2 in the 8th. His walks are keeping him down.
- Dellin Betances was the “opener,” and in 1 inning giving up two hits and 2 ER.
- Miguel Vargas played LF again and was 1-3 with a BB..
- Tulsa beat Arkansas 16-3
- Gavin Stone came into the game in the second inning and pitched 5.1 innings, allowing 4 hits and 0 ER on 4 BB and 5 K’s (ERA 1.40)
- Andy Pages hit a 2-run HR – Giving up on him rightaboutnow would be a mistake.
- Great Lakes beat the Nuts 4-1
- Diego Cartaya was taken out of the game after just one AB. I did not look too hard but I could not find out why.
- Rancho Cucamonga lost 7-3
- Nothing extraordinary to report – Carry on!
Rants & Raves
- Boy, are we spoiled! The Best Record in baseball, and fans are willing to gut the farm for Soto or Ohtani.
- The Catman did not have his best stuff yesterday (It’s Coors), but he did OK and got his 12th win.
- The bullpen did their job 100% for the final four innings… Almonte, Vesia, Bickford, and even Kimbrel got the job done.
- I continue to hold out hope for Max Muncy. Hitting starts with confidence, and his has waned. Maybe James Outman can share some of his rightaboutnow.
- TRADE DEADLINE: Tick Tock – The Tick is Clocking!
- One final thing… NEVER FORGET!
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Discussion (85)
Disagree, not disagreeable
I LOVE JAMES OUTMAN!
There, I said it…..please don’t trade him, please.
I keep telling you….we don’t need Soto. We are fine in the OF as long as you can stand Cody.
We just need Tre Turner signed ASAP….pay the man, please. Don’t pay Soto, pay Turner….please.
Jessica knows her baseball, and I agree with Fallito, she works real good with Joe and Tim.
Ok, I will give my opinion of Jessica Mendoza. I think she, as a color commentator do a very good job. Today her partner is TNeverrett, not Joe Davis and the result is the same; they mesh very well and are amusing and entertaining. Like you must already know, I live in Puerto Rico and west coast games are really taxing. When there are either OrelH or EricK, I usually go sleep for 1 or 2 innings. They become many times…. boring.
She has been severely criticized as not being knowledgeable of the game and unfair by the way. Tonite in the broadcast , they present her resume and she won 2 Olympic medals.
Like I said, I like her and this is my opinion.
OK I think I’m sold on Almonte.
Two more RHB faced today. He’s probably getting close to being good against RHB according to stats. Already dominant against LHB.
Now they won’t even pitch to the kid! Walk him to face Mookie and I don’t blame them! Tonight was a typical Max Muncy night. BB, K and HR!
Maybe the Soto we are pursuing is Gregory Soto!
I’m sorry but Will Smith is the best hitting catcher in the game. This is why it doesn’t impress me when someone is called an all star.
The Athletic says the Dodgers are in on Soto and Miami’s Pablo Lopez.
Heyman mentions Ian Happ too.
James Ouchman!!
James Hitman!
4 Things:
one: The St. Louis Cardinals are finalizing a deal to acquire left-hander Jose Quintana from the Pittsburgh Pirates, sources tell Passan.
Quite the bowler, I hear.
two: Tarik Skubal left tonight’s game with left arm fatigue, according to Tigers announcement.
three: Mann is fifth position player from Tulsa’s opening day roster to be promoted to OKC so far this year, joining Michael Busch, James Outman, Jacob Amaya, and Hunter Feduccia
four: That Riley deal is really good for the Braves.
Mike Rodriguez | Univision
@mikedeportes
·
2h
Source: #Dodgers are close to acquiring Juan Soto from the #Nationals they are talking intensely.
Padres and Cardinals still on the talk.
Mike Rodriguez is: MLB Insider, Broadcaster & Analysts for the Chicago Cubs and Chicago White Sox in Spanish, Reporter for Univision Deportes #MLB #Univision
9:45 PM ET
Dodgers (68-33)
Giants (51-51)
SP Andrew Heaney L
1-0 .47 ERA 19.1IP 27K
Confirmed Lineup
RF Mookie Betts R
SS Trea Turner R
1B F. Freeman L
C Will Smith R
DH Jake Lamb L
2B Gavin Lux L
3B Max Muncy L
CF C. Bellinger L
LF James Outman L
Clear-day
2% Rain
66° Wind 8 mph Out
We don’t need Soto- spend your money on signing TRE TURNER instead.
I like our team as is and don’t forget, we have a bunch of arms returning soon. I’m not precluding “small trades” to tweak our roster, but let’s not spend money and empty our farm on Soto that forces us out of Turner. Besides, I don’t think Soto is the missing link. There is none…..
Believe none of what you hear and less than half of what you see.
Soto and Bell in Nats lineup tonight.
Not sure how credible this guy is, but probably a little better than Ben Dover.
Is Mike Rodriquez to be trusted? He says we’re close on Soto!
Not a bad reporter, Mike Rodriguez from Univision, says:
According to a Source the Dodgers are close to acquiring Juan Soto from the #Nationals they are talking intensely.
Padres and Cardinals still on the talk.
Montas to the Yankees and Mancini to Houston.
None of the trades announced today should directly effect a Soto deal. But as more solid names come off the block, that may put more pressure on teams to go harder on Soto.
Padres gave up a lot for 1 1/2 years of Hader. If they do end up with Soto, they will be 100% all in. Gutted minor league system.
Montas and Trivino to the Yanks
Trey Mancini to the Astros.
Wow I didn’t think Hader was on the market, considering where the Brewers are in the standings. That’s why he wasn’t on my list of relievers that I would like the Dodgers to get. He’s another Kimbrel, dominate throughout his career, but is not himself this year. With that said, I still would have liked the Dodgers to get him depending on the cost.
Just my opinion, but I see Outman as another Chris Taylor and possibly a little bit better and possibly a little bit worse. Just depending. A 3rd outfielder on a team with 2 better outfielders. At worse a 4th outfielder. But again I could be wrong. it’s just my opinion.
Hader has a 1-4 record and 2 blown saves. He has also given up 7 homers and has an ERA above 4.
It looks like a clearing 40 roster spot. I like super young dominican players.
DODGERS ACQUIRE GERMAN TAPIA
LOS ANGELES – The Los Angeles Dodgers acquire minor league outfielder German Tapia from the Tampa Bay Rays in exchange for left-handed pitcher Garrett Cleavinger.
Tapia, 18, has appeared in 26 games for the Dominican Summer League Rays, batting .329 (24-for-73) with three doubles, two homers and 11 RBI. He has spent two summers with the DSL Rays, slashing a combined .249/.385.320 with two homers and 25 RBI. He was originally signed as an international free agent by the Rays on March 19, 2021.
Cleavinger, 28, was 0-1 with a 10.38 ERA (5 ER/4.1 IP) and seven strikeouts in four games for the Dodgers this season. In two seasons for Los Angeles, he was a combined 2-5 with a 4.70 ERA (12 ER/23.0 IP) and 29 strikeouts in 27 appearances. He was acquired by the Dodgers on December 29, 2020, in a three-team trade from the Philadelphia Phillies.