Outman graduated from Lindbergh High School and then pitched for Forest Park Community College in Saint Louis before transferring to the Central Missouri State. While playing for the Central Missouri State Mules, he posted a 10-2 record and helped the Mules finish third in the NCAA Division II World Series. Outman was one of five Mules drafted in the 2005 MLB Draft.
Career
Philadelphia Phillies
Outman was a prospect in the Philadelphia Phillies organization, and was named the 12th-best prospect in the Phillies organization in 2007.[1]
After a successful first half of the 2009 season starting 12 games for the Athletics. Outman was placed on the disabled list with an injury to his pitching elbow. Outman underwent Tommy John surgery, ending his season on June 30.[3]
Outman, recovering from surgery, missed the entire 2010 season.
In 2011, Outman pitched 58.1 innings (starting 9 games), with a 3–5 record, 35 strikeouts and 3.70 ERA.
On January 14, 2014, Outman avoided arbitration after filing for arbitration earlier that morning. He was the first player to avoid arbitration in 2014. Cots Contracts reported that he had signed a 1 year/$1.25M contract.[6]
On June 18, 2014, the Indians designated Outman for assignment and was outrighted on June 25.[7]
New York Yankees
Josh Outman was acquired by the New York Yankees on August 28, 2014 in exchange for a player to be named later or cash considerations.[8] He was designated for assignment on September 22, 2014. Outman elected free agency September 30, 2014.[9]
Atlanta Braves
Outman signed a one-year contract with the Atlanta Braves on January 7, 2015.[10] He was released on August 4, 2015.
On November 11, 2017, he was traded to the Rieleros de Aguascalientes along with Andres Ivan Meza, Julio Felix, and Ramon Delgado. He was released prior to the 2018 season.
Outman throws five pitches, relying most heavily on a four-seam fastball at 93–96 mph. He also throws a two-seamer (90–95), a slider (80–83), a changeup (78–83), and a curveball (low-to-mid 70s). His changeup is not thrown to left-handed hitters, but is a common pitch against right-handers. He uses his slider a great deal against lefties but typically uses it against righties only in 2-strike counts. Throughout his career, the slider has been his best swing-and-miss pitch, with a whiff rate of 46% through June 2012.[14]
