GLENDALE, Ariz. — The jump from Year One to Year Two shouldn’t be too daunting for James Outman considering the strides he made as a rookie.
Outman came to spring training a year ago as just one of a handful of left-handed hitting outfielders hoping to find a way to make the roster. When Gavin Lux suffered his season-ending knee injury, the trickle-down effect created an opening and Outman claimed it. He took off from there, establishing himself as the Dodgers’ primary center fielder and finishing third in the National League Rookie of the Year voting.
“It’s still the same game. The focus is just a little different,” Outman said of his approach to his second season. “Now I’m trying to fine-tune, get better as opposed to ‘I need to play well to make a team.’ Other than that it’s the same game. I’m treating it the same way. Trying to. Just putting the attention in different areas.”
Outman’s game was not the same from start to finish last year, particularly defensively. Working extensively with Clayton McCullough, Outman improved tremendously in center field as the season progressed.
“I think that was more a matter of just being able to relax and get comfortable out there because I’ve always felt I was a good defender,” Outman said. “I just felt the stress and the anticipation and all that made me tense up a little bit.”
His offense as a rookie was more of a roller-coaster ride. He was named NL Rookie of the Month in April and again in August and posted a .904 OPS in July as well. But he slumped significantly in May (.165 batting average, .552 OPS) and through June (.a 551 OPS with no home runs).
“I don’t think any player wants to be streaky,” Outman said. “But I do know that I can get hot.
“I think more experience under your belt (leads to more consistent results). I think having a better relationship with the coaches – them knowing me better, me knowing them better – creates better dialogue so that we can…
Read the full article here
