2 Dodgers who've exceeded expectations through 50 games and 2 who've fallen short

James Outman has exceeded expectations for the Dodgers

Admit it, you didn't expect James Outman to be as good as he's been to start his rookie season. Outman, according to MLB Pipeline, was outside of the Top 10 prospects within the Los Angeles Dodgers organization heading into 2023.

But Outman has been very good since making his major league debut late last season. Outman flashed his potential in just four games in 2022, but he's been just as good so far in 2023. Okay, maybe not as good, but no one expected Outman to continue to put up an OPS near 1.400 like he did while enjoying a cup of coffee last season.

Outman ranks behind only former MVPs Freddie Freeman and Mookie Betts in hits (40), trails only Betts and Max Muncy in home runs (9), and leads the team in three-baggers. Now, where he needs to improve is with pitch recognition, as evidenced by his team-leading 60 strikeouts.

Outman is currently locked in a battle with Arizona Diamondbacks outfield Corbin Carroll for the NL Rookie race. Outman, however, leads Carroll in triples, home runs, RBIs, and slugging percentage. Yeah, the best rookie in the NL so far would definitely suggest Outman has exceeded expectations.