The Los Angeles Dodgers placed outfielder Justin Dean on waivers following the end of the 2025 season, and the San Francisco Giants promptly snatched him up.
Dean had spent the his entire professional career in the Atlanta Braves organization before the 2025 season, with the Dodgers signing him after 2024. Dean made his debut for the Dodgers in 2025, featuring in 18 games during the regular season. He also came in for 13 games during the postseason, and was on the Dodgers’ World Series winning roster.
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His biggest moment in a Dodgers uniform came on the defensive side of the ball, when Addison Barger lined a ball into the gap during Game 6 of the World Series. The ball wedged itself in the wall and Dean threw his hands up, and the umpires called the ball dead.
Dean’s instinctive play caused plenty of controversy, but the ruling on the field stood and helped the Dodgers even up the World Series at three games apiece to force a Game 7.
Throughout his 31 games as a Dodger, Dean stepped up to the plate just two times, largely being used as a pinch runner and defensive replacement. Despite his limited role, he still managed a stolen base and a run in the postseason.
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Dean took to Instagram to send a message to Dodger fans after his departure.
“Thank you LA for changing my life!” Dean wrote.
While he didn’t grab a bat during the postseason, Dean put up great numbers with Triple-A Oklahoma City and could find himself in a bigger role with the Giants.
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He batted .289 through 90 games in Triple-A this past season, and had an OPS of .809. He hit six home runs and recorded 33 RBIs. Dean is 28 years old, and still has plenty of time to make a successful MLB career for himself.
Photo Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images
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