The Dodgers are likely to promote outfielder Justin Dean before tomorrow’s series opener with the Blue Jays, reports Dodger Daily. According to the MLB.com transaction tracker, L.A. optioned Esteury Ruiz to Triple-A Oklahoma City this evening. That’ll open the necessary active roster spot, but they’ll also need to make a 40-man move to select Dean’s contract.
It’d be the first major league call for the 28-year-old Dean. A product of Division II Lenoir-Rhyne University in North Carolina, Dean was a 17th-round pick by the Braves in 2018. He doesn’t have huge power in a 5’8″ frame, but he’s a plus runner who can play a good center field. Dean spent seven seasons in the Atlanta system without getting an MLB look. He qualified for minor league free agency last winter and signed a non-roster contract with the Dodgers.
Dean has spent the entire season at Triple-A Oklahoma City. He’s hitting .274/.370/.426 with six homers while stealing 25 bases in 32 attempts. The righty batter has taken walks at a strong 12% rate while striking out 23% of the time. He’s chasing fewer pitches outside the strike zone and making a lot more contact than he did last season in the Atlanta system. Dean has logged over 500 innings in center field and added 136 frames in right.
Ruiz had been the last position player on the roster as a speedster off the bench. Dean should provide a superior defensive option in a fifth outfielder role.
Good for him. You love to see players who spent a good amount of time in the minors get a call up for the 1st time. His family has to be really proud.
CMH
From another conversation in another thread
I’d like to see roster expansion. Give more of these guys who play excellent defense and run the bases well, but can’t hit at the MLB level a chance to be MLB players
It only improves the onfield product and gives more MLB jobs. A win for everyone except those who like seeing, say, Nick Castellanos playing defense.
Since Ruiz can neither hit nor field it was puzzling he lasted so long. At least this guy can field.
Shouldn’t the headline be “Dodgers rumored to select Justin Dean”?
No. They’re changing the name of the site to MLB Trade Likelihood.
Ruiz needs to go Dean is the same player why lose someone from your 40 for redundancy
Enjoy seeing a longstanding minor leaguer finally get a shot. I like it even better when such a guy comes up in a leverage situation and really opens eyes with his play. You GO Justin!
Good for Dean. Saw him a few times in Gwinett. He’s got good wheels and plays solid defense. Hopefully he gets a chance to show off some value and catches on with a team next season. Dodgers feels pretty unlikely as a longterm thing.
Beyond my ability to comprehend why moving Betts BACK to his most effective & comfortable position in RF, booting T Hernandez to LF is such a not gonna happen strategy.