Meaning no disrespect whatsoever to 27-year-old Dodgers outfielder James Outman, it was never a matter of if but when.

The when came around 4 PM on Friday afternoon, when the Dodgers posted this on social media:

There is no disputing that the extremely popular Redwood City, CA native and Dodgers seventh-round draft pick in 2018 out of Cal State Sacramento is a Gold Glove-caliber outfielder. But as Hall of Fame former Dodgers manager Tommy Lasorda once said of former Padres infielder Kurt Bevacqua: “He couldn’t hit water if he fell out of a boat.”

In the 36 games in which Outman appeared this season, he was 16-for-109 (.147), with three home runs and 10 RBIs. Unfortunately, he also struck out in 40 of those 109 at-bats, (36.69% of the time), often with runners in scoring position.

To his credit, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts gave his struggling outfielder more than ample opportunities to snap out of his prolonged slump, but it simply never happened. With each passing game (and each additional strikeout), it became painfully apparent that Roberts, perhaps on orders from above, was keeping Outman around because of his exceptional defense, hoping/wishing that Outman’s horrible batting slump would end, but again, it simply never happened.

Being optioned, Outman and his coaches will hopefully be able to figure out what went awry with his once extremely productive and powerful swing. But if not, he very well may have already played his final game in a Dodgers uniform.

Wishing you nothing but the very best, James.

Play Ball!

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