Dodgers News: James Outman Disrespected in Rookie Power Rankings List
Dodgers rookie outfielder James Outman has been a breakout star so far this season. Dodgers rookie outfielder James Outman was just named the Rookie of the Month in the National League. The 25-year-old is not only one of the best hitters on the team so far this season, he's also been among the best hitters in baseball for the first month-plus of 2023.
So, you'd assume that if you're among the best hitters in baseball you're definitely probably among the very best rookie hitters in baseball.
And you'd be correct. He now has an award to back that up.
And, with all that, you'd be fair in assuming that he's probably at or near the top of the list when it comes to Rookie of the Year hopefuls.
With that, you'd be wrong. At least over at MLB.com.
Columnist Matthew Leitch ranked Outman in the number 8 spot in his ROY power rankings list after one month.
Here's an attempt at an explanation.
8. James Outman, OF, Dodgers (previously unranked)
Well, we certainly didn’t see this one coming, but neither did anybody else. Outman, who turns 26 in a couple of weeks, entered the year as the Dodgers’ No. 8 prospect, an intriguing player who got better as he climbed the ladder but still seemed like an uncertain bet at the big league level. So far, he’s been a beast, with seven homers in the first month. It remains to be seen how long he can keep this up, but if he does it for even another month, you can bet he’ll rank higher on the next hot list.
So, Outman is down on the list because... the expectations were low heading into the season? And I thought this was a what have you done for me lately kind of sport. All James has done this year is be at or near the top of the leaderboard in:
- Games: 31 (t-1st)
- Runs: 19 (t-1st)
- Hits: 29 (2nd)
- Triples: 3 (1st)
- Home runs: 7 (1st)
- RBI: 21 (t-1st)
- Average: .282 (5th)
- OBP: .378 (3rd)
- Slugging: .583 (1st)
- OPS: .961 (1st)
If the season ended today, James Outman would be the Rookie of the Year in the National League... why would he not be higher on the list?
