Dodgers News: Dave Roberts Has Enormous Praise for Rookie James Outman

Playing like a veteran already!

In his pregame thoughts ahead of the recent series finale against the Oakland Athletics, Dodger manager Dave Roberts discussed a multitude of topics. 

Among the topics discussed in the media availability, the Dodger skipper had nothing but compliments for young center fielder James Outman in dealing with the ups and downs of the major league season. 

Dave Roberts discusses expectations for Kiké, his role with the team and more ahead of today's finale. pic.twitter.com/3oOvFKcdEK

— SportsNet LA (@SportsNetLA) July 26, 2023

Specifically, the Dodger skipper praised the work Outman has put in since the All-Star break after a cold stretch in the middle of the season. 

Very impressed with his ability to weather a storm. It was tough sledding there for a while for James. But as we’ve talked many times, you bet on the maturity, the age, the head. And he didn’t waver in his preparation. … Just kind of being able to manage at-bats. I think for me, since the break, you wouldn’t know he’s a rookie and I think right now, it’s almost to that point where he’s passed that rookie status for me, like, he’s just another Major League Baseball player.

via Dave Roberts, Sportsnet LA

Outman started off scorching to kick off his rookie season, earning the National League Rookie of the Month award for April after hitting .292 with seven home runs and 20 RBI and an OPS of nearly 1.000 for the month. 

After his hot start, Outman took a bit of a slide in the months following his award win and had skeptics wondering if the Dodgers letting Cody Bellinger walk in free agency was the right decision. 

The young center fielder has more than helped quell those fears in recent months after he's been swinging a hot bat and playing some key defense for the Boys in Blue, including a home run robbery against the Reds in the previous homestand. 

If the Dodger skipper can have confidence in the budding star, fans at the Ravine can also take solace in this turnaround for the rookie playing like a seasoned vet.