The Chicago Cubs have claimed the Los Angeles Dodgers’ World Series champion and outfielder, Justin Dean, ahead of the 2026 season.
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Dean was recently DFA’d by the Dodgers bitter rival, the San Francsio Giants. They did so last week to open a roster spot for right-handed pitcher, Tyler Mahle.
The 29-year-old played a key role for the team, serving as a defensive substitute to help close out games for Los Angeles in the ninth inning and beyond. Dean is most famous for his play in Game 6 of the World Series, where he wisely decided not play the ball that got stuck between the outfield ground and the left-center wall.
That play changed the trajectory of the game as it caused the umpires to call it a ground-rule double for Addison Barger and leave the runner that was on first to only advance to third.
The Dodgers’ defense tightened up after that to secure the win and force what happened to be an iconic Game 7 in which LA came out on top to capture their ninth title in franchise history.
Dean is a native of South Carolina, where he attended Mauldin High School. he made a name for himself at Lenoir–Rhyne, where he was named the 2018 ABCA. Rawling NCAA Division II All Southeast Region Second team. In that season, he was incredible, batting .398 with 59 runs scored, 119 total bases and a .640 slugging percentage.
After his 2018 college season, Dean entered the 2018 MLB Draft and was selected by the Atlanta Braves in the 17th round. While the Braves drafted him, he failed to make his MLB debut with them. After seven seasons with the Braves organization, he elected free agency following the 2024 season.
The Dodgers signed Dean to a minor league contract in December 2024. Dean started the season with the Triple-A Oklahoma City Comet where he slashed .289/.378/.395 with six home runs, 33 RBI, and 27 stolen bases.
He made his MLB debut as a defensive replacement against the Toronto Blue Jays. In 18 games for the Dodgers, he only made two plate appearances and recorded no significant offensive stats outside of one strikeout.
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Photo Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images
