James Outman began his first full season with the Los Angeles Dodgers on a high note, winning National League Rookie of the Month honors for April. The success was short-lived as the 26-year-old went on to struggle mightily for the remainder of the unofficial first half.
Since the All-Star break, Outman has looked more like the player that broke the Dodgers rookie record for most home runs in the first month of a season. The Redwood, California, native is hitting a stellar .340/.507/.509 with five extra-base hits and nine RBI in his last 28 games entering play Sunday.
Outman enjoyed one of his best performances in the Dodgers’ 10-5 against the San Diego Padres on Friday as he went 2-for-3 with a home run and two RBI, and even took away a homer from Fernando Tatis Jr. with a leaping catch at the wall in center field.
Outman believes he has gotten back on track after his rough stretch in May and June, per Jack Harris of the L.A. Times:
“I just feel like I got my rhythm back,” Outman said. “I’m putting together competitive at-bats.”
Outman’s re-emergence in recent weeks has given the Dodgers lineup an added boost, which was already one of the best groups in baseball with the likes of Mookie Betts, Freddie Freeman, Will Smith and J.D. Martinez having strong seasons.
Outman is batting an overall .253/.354/.434 with 13 doubles, three triples, 13 home runs, 49 RBI and 13 stolen bases in 373 plate appearances across 102 games this season.
James Outman ‘growing up pretty quickly’
The Dodgers completed one of their biggest comebacks in recent memory last month, scoring four runs in the ninth to earn an 8-7 win over the Toronto Blue Jays in 10 innings.
Outman delivered a walk-off double in extra innings, which was part of a 3-for-3 showing at the plate that included two walks. “His at-bats all night long were great,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said after the game.
“A young player taking walks and then when he gets an opportunity with the ball in the strike zone to put good swings on it. He’s just growing up pretty quickly, and the last few weeks have been really telling.”
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