After competing in the minor leagues for seven years, outfielder Justin Dean is set to put on a major league uniform for the first time.
The Los Angeles Dodgers selected Dean’s contract from Triple-A Oklahoma City on Friday and optioned outfielder Esteury Ruiz in a corresponding move.
At the time of his promotion, Dean, 28, was hitting .274 with six home runs, 31 RBIs and 25 stolen bases in Oklahoma City. The Dodgers brought him to spring training as a non-roster invitee.
A 17th-round draft pick by the Atlanta Braves in 2018, Dean spent his entire minor league career in the Braves’ system. He played in 680 games, hitting 39 home runs, driving in 237 runs and stealing 237 bases. Dean reached Triple-A Gwinnett for the first time in 2022 and stole 61 bases for Double-A Mississippi and Gwinnett in 2024.
Ruiz played in 19 games for the Dodgers, recording four hits in 21 at-bats, including one home run. He spent 2023-24 with the Athletics, leading the majors in 2023 with 67 stolen bases, and also played for the San Diego Padres and Milwaukee Brewers in 2022. He has 77 stolen bases in 96 attempts.
–Field Level Media
