The Los Angeles Dodgers’ trade that sent Zach McKinstry to the Chicago Cubs for Chris Martin created a need for a position player on the Major League roster that was filled with the promotion of James Outman from Triple-A Oklahoma City.
On Sunday, Outman made his Major League debut against the Colorado Rockies and had a game to remember with his family in the stands to watch him lead the Dodgers to a series victory. In his first career at-bat, the left-handed hitter blasted a two-run home run to right field.
Outman became the first Dodgers player to hit a homer in his debut at-bat since Keibert Ruiz did so in 2020, and the eighth in franchise history to accomplish the feat.
While he struck out in his next at-bat, Outman later added an RBI double and single, finishing his day 3-for-4 with two runs scored and three RBI. That made Outman the first player in Dodgers franchise history with three hits, a home run, three RBI and two runs in his debut game.
The performance also made him the first Dodgers rookie with at least three hits in his MLB debut since Mike Piazza did so in 1992. Additionally, Outman joined Jose Offerman (1990) and Ernie Koy (1938) as the only Dodgers with a home run and three hits in his first career game.
Outman also made L.A. Dodgers history by becoming the first player with three hits and three RBI in his MLB debut. The only other Dodgers player to accomplish that was Packy Rogers, who did so for Brooklyn in 1938.
The last MLB player to debut with three hits, three RBI and one home run was Joey Gallo on June 2, 2015, for the Texas Rangers.
Dodgers protected Outman
This past offseason, the Dodgers ensured Outman would not potentially get selected in the Rule 5 Draft by adding him to their 40-man roster. The MLB lockout wound up negating the roster move, but Outman has nonetheless continued to impress this year.
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