The Los Angeles Dodgers fell to the Baltimore Orioles in their series finale on Wednesday, but James Outman still had an impressive accomplishment with his 12th home run of the season.
Outman’s blast traveled 414 feet to left field, which marked the first home run to the opposite field by a left-handed hitter at Oriole Park at Camden Yards since the fencing dimensions were changed prior to the 2022 season.
The Orioles decided to move the left field wall back by approximately 30 feet while also raising its height from seven feet to 12 feet, making it much more difficult to homer, and especially for lefties going to the opposite field.
The new left-field wall at Camden Yards is 398 feet from home plate and would have accounted for a 14% decrease in home runs over the last seven seasons, according to a study by the Baltimore Sun.
When told of the accomplishment, Outman appreciated the feat but recognized he ultimately won’t be the only one to pull it off, via David Vassegh of A.M. 570 LA Sports Radio:
James Outman said he was made aware that he was the first LH hitter to hit a HR to left field at Oriole Park since the beginning of 2022.
"It's cool…I'm sure I won't be the last." #Dodgers #Orioles— David Vassegh (@THEREAL_DV) July 19, 2023
What makes Outman’s accomplishment even more impressive is the Orioles have a team of extremely talented left-handed hitters, including Home Run Derby participant Adley Rutschman, star rookie Gunnar Henderson and the power-hitting Anthony Santander, all of whom have played roughly half their games this season at Camden Yards.
The American League East in general is filled with power-hitters as well, but most bat from the right side.
Despite the impressive distance of 414 feet, it finished as the third-longest home run of the day, with the top two each coming from other left-handed hitters. Max Muncy and Henderson both hit a home run 431 feet, although they each trailed Outman in exit velocity.
Outman’s homer, which was hit 106.3 mph at a launch angle of 24 degrees, had an expected batting average of .950.
James Outman breaking out of slump
After a hot start to the season, Outman went into a prolonged slump over two months in May and June. But recently, Outman seems to have rebounded from his issues, hitting .316/.435/.500 over his first 12 games of July.
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