Dodgers' Rookie James Outman's Incredible Catch Was So Much Better Than You Realized

As close as it was to a hit, thankfully James made sure it was an out, man.

The Dodgers got back in the win column after an ugly 16-8 bludgeoning at the hand of the Cardinals on Thursday. LA secured the 5-0 shutout victory with an electric performance by the pitching staff, starting with starting pitcher Tony Gonsolin. But the shutout was preserved thanks to an incredible play in center field by James Outman.

The rookie outfielder made the play of his young career with home run robbery off the bat of Paul Goldschmidt. 

WOW JAMES, THAT'S GOLD. pic.twitter.com/tInirFwNRQ

— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) May 20, 2023

His rob job is actually so much better than what people may realize. According to Statcast, the hit had a .890 expected batting average and would have been a home run at 15 other ballparks.

Outman talked about the play with SNLA reporter Kirsten Watson after the game and touched on a similar play that he felt he should have made one night prior.

“Actually, turned the wrong way to start, but then I spun, and I think the biggest thing is I just timed the jump correctly this time. I just wanted to make sure I jumped early enough to give myself space between the wall and myself.”

“It was huge,” Dodger manager Dave Roberts said. “Right there, you've got Goldschmidt, and [Brusdar Graterol] hangs a slider and that's a 1-1 ballgame.”

Five-time Gold Glove award winner Jason Heyward is the one that brought attention to how great the play was, and how difficult those kinds of plays are.

“Things got to align. The ball has to be hit hard or soft enough, you've got to have enough time to get there and read the wall, make sure you're not running into the wall. So, that's why I say it's one of those plays that just, you almost don't believe happens when it does happen.”

As close as it was to a hit, thankfully James made sure it was an out, man.