James Outman continues hot streak in Arizona

James Outman was already hitting well prior to this last week out in the Arizona Fall League for the Glendale Desert Dogs. The outfielder added to his resume, smacking seven more hits in 16 at-bats to continue sizzling at the plate.

Overall, the Dodgers’ prospect has three homers and 10 RBI to go with his 1.133 OPS in 14 games in the AFL. Jim Callis of MLB Pipeline recently wrote about Outman and the rise from not being considered a great hitter.

Outman has plus speed and arm strength as well as solid or better raw power and center-field defense. He hit just .249 in three college seasons and .226 in his first full pro season in Low-A, however, so there were questions about his bat.

In the same article, Callis speaks about the excellent work with the glove in center field. The Dodgers were high on Outman’s tools when he was drafted in the seventh round back in 2018 and the 24-year-old has only improved at both hitting and fielding.

“I think they’re equal,” Outman told Callis. “Defense is really important, trying to help the pitchers out as much as I can. I just try to affect the game in every area, whether that’s baserunning, defense, hitting. I’m trying to be as good as I can in every aspect of the game.”

Another Dodger farmhand making an impression is Carson Taylor. The switch-hitting catcher has only played in six games this fall but has gone 9-for-22 (.409) with a pair of long balls.

Taylor was drafted in the fourth round last year and started his professional career with Great Lakes in 2021.