MEQUON, Wis. – Josh Outlaw has quickly made a name for himself in this year’s Northwoods League season. The talented Lakeshore Chinooks outfielder has displayed exceptional skills and determination, contributing to his personal success and the team’s overall performance.
Outlaw has provided the Chinooks with an impact bat in their lineup while serving as a key leader on and off the field. His versatile skill set and consistent performances make him a player to keep an eye on moving forward.
“You get into the Northwoods League, and it’s kind of the same day after day,” said Lakeshore coach Trevor Cho. “You need guys like Outlaw to keep you going and be a good clubhouse guy.”
Outlaw’s journey began at Parkland College in Illinois, where he spent the first two years of his college career honing his craft. At Parkland, he developed a reputation for his work ethic and versatility on the field. His impressive statistics and consistent improvement caught the attention of scouts and coaches, setting the stage for him to have a bright future in the game.
Outlaw hit .286 with six doubles, two triples, 11 RBIs and 13 stolen bases in 63 at-bats as a freshman at Parkland in 2023. Outlaw’s skill set intrigued Cho, causing him to reach out to the young outfielder in the fall about the idea of playing for the Chinooks.
In the spring, Outlaw showed tremendous growth at Parkland, batting .327 with nine doubles, three triples, three home runs, 35 RBIs and 19 stolen bases in 162 at-bats.
Outlaw has carried his sophomore season success into the summer, with a team-high .390 batting average in 41 at-bats for the Chinooks.
“He has great bat-to-ball skill, plus-plus speed, and can steal bases,” Cho said. “Those are the things that are going to help him out in the future.”
Outlaw isn’t satisfied with his game, however. He hopes playing in a top collegiate summer league will prepare him for the next step in his career.
“I’d like to see growth in almost every aspect. I want to get a lot stronger physically, get more base hits, and kind of need to improve my defensive game,” Outlaw said. “I also want to get a stronger arm and just continue to try to steal bases.”
After the summer concludes with the Chinooks, Outlaw will play Division I baseball at Illinois State. His move to Illinois State marks a notable step in his baseball career, allowing him to compete at a higher level and further his skills.
Outlaw hopes playing at the Division I level will set him up for an opportunity to play professional baseball after his collegiate career.
“He is going to a good school and a good conference,” Cho said. “I think with him, the skies the limit,” Cho said. “He’s a hard worker. With as much work he puts in, he is gonna have a chance to get to the professional level.”
