New StatCast Metrics Point to James Outman as Potential Breakout Star

[Linus]

I have been observing Zolls MO to try and detect any differences between he and Falvey. So far doesn’t seem to be much different. What happens to Outman will be a big clue. Falvey believed in never wasting an asset meaning the guy with no options will usually be kept. If Outman isn’t impressive this spring and is kept we will know it’s business as usual. 

[Cris E]

Be fair: most middle money teams try to wring the most possible out of prospects before casting them aside. The reason TAM and MIL stand out for trading away prospects is that it isn't common at all in their income bracket. Zoll may just be "Conventional" rather than "Falvey".

OTOH conventional may not be what this org needs right now. There's enough talent laying around, both on the 26 man and the 40 man, that a quicker turn around might serve better than sending everyone away for a couple years and waiting on the 20 year olds. 

[USAFChief]

1 hour ago, TJSweens said:

Seriously, could there be a worse name for a hitter?

I remember the Twins signing a kid out eastern Europe somewhere...Kaye Zahllatyme.

 

[AceWrigley]

The best part of this article comes from the video clip of Outman jacking one.

Announcer: "And the Twins pull to within seven."

[Pat]

Good Lord!  You have got to be kidding me!

[Eris]

3 hours ago, Richie the Rally Goat said:

My fear in all of this type of analysis is holding on to Outman for fear that he becomes a Rooker,

Rooker has been able to reduce his K% from 33% with the Twins and his first year with Oakland to 22% last season. By fWAR his best season was at 28%K in 2024. 
 

https://www.fangraphs.com/players/brent-rooker/19627/stats/batting

[LastOnePicked]

It's a swing only a spreadsheet could love. But hope springs eternal.

[twinstalker]

His bat speed is the outstanding trait.  But of course there are many lumberjacks likely to have great axe speed, and I doubt they also can't play in the majors.

[Danchat]

3 hours ago, Linus said:

I have been observing Zolls MO to try and detect any differences between he and Falvey. So far doesn’t seem to be much different. What happens to Outman will be a big clue. Falvey believed in never wasting an asset meaning the guy with no options will usually be kept. If Outman isn’t impressive this spring and is kept we will know it’s business as usual. 

Methinks it is far to early to write any conclusions about the differences between Falvey and Zoll... not that I expect there to be many since Zoll replaced Levine and not a whole lot changed, but still. Falvey's only been gone a month.

[Linus]

20 minutes ago, Danchat said:

Methinks it is far to early to write any conclusions about the differences between Falvey and Zoll... not that I expect there to be many since Zoll replaced Levine and not a whole lot changed, but still. Falvey's only been gone a month.

For sure. I’m just saying this will be an early data point. I am very interested to see how the whole outfield situation shakes out. 

[tarheeltwinsfan]

Hopefully the cream will rise to the top quickly. What would be a good catalyst to speed up this process?  I submit, play them all a lot in spring training. Then play the younger ones a lot at St. Paul. Don't keep the ones with the best future potential in the majors, just to have them sit on the bench. Reevaluate the OF situation frequently. If some of the more experienced guys ( Wallner, Larnach, Outman) are doing well, trade them while their value is high for prospects (catchers and first basemen and flame throwing pitchers)).  This would be my plan. 

[RaoulDuke]

Outman was a gamble of an acquisition, for a gamble of a reliever.  

Stewart was getting traded one way or the other and it appears this was the best bet they could find for a half season of a good when healthy, older reliever with zero proven ability to stay healthy.

Take a chance you can get him back to something like his rookie season and he could be an interesting piece, if not you are out basically nothing.

 

[Linus]

Boy he looked rough in CF today. 

[USAFChief]

23 minutes ago, Linus said:

Boy he looked rough in CF today. 

But he made up for it at the plate with an oh-fer.

[PatPfund]

I guess stats show you what you want to see. The OP waxes poetic about bat speed and tilt. I see he scored 28 for contact on a scale where 20 is zero. (Also see a release coming with an offer for St Paul if/when he isn't claimed.)

[High heat]

If Outman put up the same # as a right handed hitter he could fit perfectly on this team. back up CF and supplement the COF against left handed pitch and defensive replacement.
 

 The problem is he is the worst of the LH hitting outfielder.  With 2 capable LH hitting CF prospects in AAA.  
 

The guy flat out doesn’t fit on this team, Falvey must have been blind to see that when he made this trade.  I would had more respect trading for a bag of balls with how this outfield is currently constructed.  

[SteveLV]

Cross posted from the other Spring Training thread, but Roden sure seems to want the job, and Wallner and Outman do not, so far.

I would be delighted to see Roden and ERod make the MLB roster instead of Wallner and Outman if these performances continue....

[Doctor Wu]

If we start the season with the likes of Outman, Larnach and Wallner in the outfield, it's time to stock up on barf bags. 

[USAFChief]

8 hours ago, SteveLV said:

Cross posted from the other Spring Training thread, but Roden sure seems to want the job, and Wallner and Outman do not, so far.

I would be delighted to see Roden and ERod make the MLB roster instead of Wallner and Outman if these performances continue....

The chances a healthy Wallner doesn't make the opening day roster range from approximately 0% to 0%.

 

[SteveLV]

I agree on Wallner, Mr. Chief, but if he continues to wallow at the plate he should be optioned out or traded. He can't field, so he needs to be able to hit to keep his roster spot.  Early days, but tacked on to last year it is depressing.  I thought he was going to be a total stud when he first came up.