In 2023, outfielder James Outman finished third in National League Rookie of the Year voting as a Los Angeles Dodger after posting 3.4 bWAR and a .248/.353/.437 (114 OPS+) slash line with 23 RBI, 70 RBI and 16 stolen bases.
Flash forward to 2026, Outman, whom the Dodgers traded to the Minnesota Twins for right-handed reliever Brock Stewart last summer, is struggling to prove he belongs on a big-league roster.
There is no reason for former Dodgers outfielder James Outman to still be on the Twins' roster
Outman, a left-handed hitter, is out of minor-league options. Therefore, the Twins cannot send him to the minors without putting him through waivers. Still, Minnesota should designate the former Dodger for assignment.
First, let's focus on Outman's performance. Outman has an outstanding spring training, hitting .261/.375/.522 with four homers, 10 RBI and eight stolen bases over 19 games. Unfortunately, his strong spring stats haven't translated to the regular season.
Thus far in 2026, Outman has gone 0-for-14 at the plate with one walk and eight strikeouts. He's provided some value as a pinch runner, stealing two bases, but his poor offensive stats have already made him worth -0.3 bWAR.
Outman spent much of the last two seasons in Triple-A. In 2024, Outman slashed .147/.256/.265 (49 OPS+) in 53 games with the Dodgers. Then, he hit .134/.216/.321 (47 OPS+) in 59 games with the Dodgers and Twins in 2025.
While the rookie version of Outman, 29 in May, could still be unlocked, it's become increasingly more unlikely. At this point, it doesn't make much sense for the Twins to keep Outman on their 26-man roster when two outfielders with Triple-A St. Paul, Alan Roden and Emmanuel RodrÃguez, have much higher upside.
Roden, whom the Twins acquired from the Toronto Blue Jays as part of the Louis Varland trade in July, has hit .243/.417/.378 in 10 games with the Saints this year. Not to mention, he plays elite left field defense and got some center field reps during spring training.
If the Twins decide to finally cut Outman loose, the team will likely recall Roden as a corresponding move. But if Minnesota wants to be bolder, the club could recall RodrÃguez, whom MLB Pipeline has ranked as the 69th-best prospect in baseball.
Additionally, Twins top prospect Walker Jenkins should be ready to make the jump to the majors at some point this season. Gabriel Gonzalez is also another Twins Triple-A outfield prospect knocking at the door of the big leagues. Simply put, there are better 26-man roster options than Outman in the Twins' minor-league system, and there will be even more options as the year progresses. Minnesota may as well designate Outman for assignment now. And, it's possible he'd clear waivers, which would allow the Twins to keep him in their organization.