The Los Angeles Dodgers have all but officially set their Opening Day roster for the 2023 season, with James Outman earning the final position player spot over the likes of Steven Duggar, Luke Williams and Bradley Zimmer.
Outman will be one of six outfielders on the Dodgers active roster, along with Mookie Betts, Jason Heyward, David Peralta, Chris Taylor and Trayce Thompson.
Betts will be the everyday starter in right field, and left field will be shared by Peralta and Taylor. Thompson is expected to get the majority of at-bats in center field against left-handed pitching and Outman will get most of the starts when a right-hander is on the mound.
“You know, I just want it to be clear, cycling in and out, it’s essentially two positions of nine spots in the order,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said of how his outfield will be configured.
“So I think that for us, right now, Trayce and C.T. are going to take the brunt of those left-handed at-bats. And then versus right, I think it’s a combo of James, Peralta and J-Hey.
“I think that James is going get the lion’s share of those right-handed at-bats in center field. So when you look at it like that, then it’s kind of seeing how guys perform.”
Outman had a strong Spring Training in which he batted .283/.391/.566 with four doubles, one triple, three home runs and 11 RBI over 23 games. The 25-year-old appeared in four games with L.A. last season and enjoyed a historic MLB debut against the Colorado Rockies.
Outman began the 2022 season with Double-A Tulsa, where he hit .295/.394/.552 with 17 doubles, one triple, 16 home runs and 45 RBI over 68 games. Upon earning a promotion to Triple-A Oklahoma City, Outman batted .292/.390/.627 with 14 doubles, 15 home runs, 42 runs scored and 61 RBI in 57 games.
James Outman: ‘Pretty surreal’ earning spot on Dodgers Opening Day roster
Outman wasn’t focused on making the Dodgers Opening Day roster but nevertheless is pleasantly surprised to be breaking camp with the team.
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