Steve Webb
LOS ANGELES, CA — Remember 2019, when the best player on the planet was named Cody Bellinger and played on the Los Angeles Dodgers? Yeah, that was actually a thing that happened. Those days are long gone, as is Bellinger himself, signing a free agent deal with the Chicago Cubs during the offseason after being non-tenured by the team. What we thought would be true for years to come has evaporated, and Dodger fans are scratching their heads when it comes to center field, and asking that eternal question: “Now what?”
Trayce Thompson (2022: .268/.364./.537, 13 HR)
On paper at least, the center field position should belong to Trayce Thompson. The one-time journeyman was picked up mid-season last year and had the most productive year of his career. His defense was solid, and his sweet right-handed swing delivered some of the more majestic homers of 2022. However, there is cause to doubt when it comes to Klay’s little bro. After a great summer, he only hit .159 in September of last year, leading some to think that maybe Thompson was regressing to the mean a little bit. Maybe there was a good reason why this guy wasn’t even able to crack the Tigers’ roster last year. And, to be honest, his start in the spring doesn’t exactly instill confidence, either. I’m guessing that Thompson ends up being the Opening Day centerfielder, but believe me, I’m sure he can hear the footsteps behind him of one James Outman.
James Outman (2022 [Minors]: .294/.394/.578, 31 HR)
Pretty soon, James Outman is going to become the irresistible force. He’s playing too good for too long to keep the boy down on the farm much longer. His brief stay in the bigs in 2022 was a thrill ride, and his consistent production at both Tulsa and Oklahoma City have earned Outman a very long look this Spring. And, quite frankly, the kid’s been the best Dodger in camp this season. His OPS well north of 1.000 begs for inclusion on the Opening Day roster, but there is a little hitch. The Dodgers are essentially locked in to a roster spot for Trayce Thompson. They are out of options on the guy, so if they don’t put him on the big league team, they’ve got to release him. Which I’m sure the Dodgers don’t want to do. So they’re kind of stuck. Does Outman deserve to break camp with the Dodgers and head for Chavez Ravine? Absolutely. Will he, though? It’s an open question.
UPDATE: Roster moves in the final week of Spring Training make it official: Outman’s made the Opening Day roster! Welcome aboard! It’s well deserved. Hopefully, his blazing hot Spring Training will translate into more playing time in April. Congratulations, young man. Welcome to the Show!
Other options…
Chris Taylor and Mookie Betts have both played a fair amount of center field, but I’m not sure that they’ll see a whole lot of time there in 2023. I think we’re more likely to see one of the non-roster guys as the main backup plan at this position. It seems like veteran Jason Heyward is the most likely to make the Opening Day roster. The move would make a lot of sense. Heyward is a plus defender, and he’s shown offense talent in the past. Plus, there is the bonus of Heyward’s contract being paid mostly by the Chicago Cubs, so adding him to the roster is a cheapo option for the club.
Both Bradley Zimmer and Steven Duggar have MLB experience, but I’m not hearing much about them this spring, so they seem pretty doubtful at this point. Prospect-wise, beyond Outman, there is Andy Pages, who will be a major league ballplayer some day, but I don’t think he figures much into the Dodgers plans for 2023.
In short, I’m guess that this position will produce better than in did in the last two frustrating seasons of Cody Bellinger in center, but it still strikes me as a pretty middle-of-the-pack situation. That is, until James Outman gets the nod to be the everyday centerfielder. Then, things could get fun.
DODGERSBEAT RATING: B-
