Dodgers Rumors: Writer Doesn’t Expect James Outman to Have All-Star Career

Coming out of the gates, James Outman has looked like one of the best rookies in the National League this year. After a slow May and June, Outman has turned up his play and is once again performing like one of baseball's premier first year players. 

While he may not get any first place votes for the NL Rookie of the Year this season with Corbin Carroll dominating in Arizona, the Dodgers have seen a lot of promise from the centerfielder. 

The team hopes he can be a cornerstone of the franchise, but one writer believes that Outman won't ever be an All-Star. 

Bleacher Report's Kerry Miller laid out the pros and cons of whether or not Outman would be capable of having an All-Star career, and "sells" the fact that he'll be able to turn his career into an All-Star-caliber one.

He cites Outman's strikeout rate as one of the main concerns for his career.

"Among qualified hitters, only Pittsburgh's Jack Suwinski (33.7%) has a higher strikeout rate than Outman (32.0%). Tyler O'Neill had similar marks in 2021 (31.3%) before a disappointing and injury-filled 2022 campaign. Likewise, Javier Báez was in the same vicinity in 2021 (33.6%), got his big payday and then fell apart in Detroit." (Via Bleacher Report)

Miller did compare Outman to Aaron Judge who had a strikeout rate over 30%. Everyone knows how Judge's career has turned out so the strikeout argument is not full proof. 

In the article, Miller does acknowledge the hot streaks and cold streaks Outman has been on this year. 

Miller has called Outman's year three seasons in one. 

"Through his first 32 games, he had a .980 OPS and was on pace for 35 home runs and over 100 RBI. In the next 46 games, though, he was a ghost, posting a .521 OPS with just two home runs. But since July 4, he has been back on the right track with a .934 OPS in 37 games played." (Via Bleacher Report)

Only time will tell if Miller is correct about Outman's future, but Dodger fans will hope he's very wrong in his assessment of Outman's career in Los Angeles.