Justin Dean

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Justin Emmanuel Dean

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Biographical Information[edit]

After winning the 2025 World Series with the Los Angeles Dodgers, outfielder Justin Dean was claimed off waivers by their rival, the San Francisco Giants on November 6th. Before he could even play a game for them, he was waived when the Giants signed pitcher Tyler Mahle. The Chicago Cubs claimed him on January 16th.

His stat line for the Dodgers during the 2025 season was an unusual one, as he appeared in 18 games, but had just 2 at-bats, with a stolen base and a strikeout. He was used solely as a defensive replacement in center field in the late innings, with CF Andy Pages normally sliding over to one of the corner outfield spots, or as a pinch-runner. In the postseason, it was more of the same, as he appeared in 13 games without a plate appearance, but did score a run in a pinch-running appearance in the Division Series. In the World Series, his biggest contribution was appealing for the umpires to call for a ground-rule double when Addison Barger's drive to center field in the bottom of the 9th inning in Game 6 became stuck below the fence's padding. Had he tried to play the ball, Barger would have likely circled the bases, tying the game, but he had to return to second base after the ruling. Some fans argued that the call was unwarranted as the ball was visible at all times and could easily have been wedged from its spot, but the rules on such a play are unambiguous and were applied correctly by the umpiring crew.

A few days following his appearance in the World Series, he was claimed off waivers by the San Francisco Giants on November 6th, and then in turn by the Chicago Cubs on January 13, 2026. He was assigned to the AAA Iowa Cubs to start the season, hitting .238 with 3 homers and 25 RBIs in his first 56 games, before being called up to Wrigley Field on June 19th. He was inserted into that day's game against the Blue Jays as a defensive replacement for Pete Crow-Armstrong in center field with the Cubs holding a commanding 11-2 lead in the 7th inning. In the bottom of that inning, he finally collected his first major league hit with a bases-loaded triple off submariner Tyler Rogers. He was in his eighth professional season and had played just about 1,000 games by that point.

Notable Achievements[edit]

Further Reading[edit]

  • Jordan Bastian: "'I almost cried': After 8 years in Minor Leagues, Dean notches 1st MLB hit", mlb.com, June 19, 2026. [1]

Related Sites[edit]

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