Justin Emmanuel Dean Bio
Justin Emmanuel Dean (born December 6, 1996) is an American professional baseball outfielder currently playing for the Chicago Cubs of Major League Baseball (MLB). He made his MLB debut with the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2025 and was a member of the Dodgers team that won the World Series that same year. Dean has built his professional career as a contact hitter and stolen base threat throughout the minor leagues before earning his first major league call-up at age 28.
Early Life and Background
Dean grew up in South Carolina, where he attended Mauldin High School. During his high school years, he developed as a baseball player while competing in the South Carolina prep system. His performance at the high school level helped him earn an opportunity to continue his baseball career at the collegiate level.
After graduating from Mauldin High School, Dean chose to play college baseball at Lenoir–Rhyne University in Hickory, North Carolina. He suited up for the Lenoir–Rhyne Bears and quickly established himself as one of the top hitters in NCAA Division II. During his final collegiate season in 2018, Dean posted exceptional numbers, hitting .398 with 59 runs scored, 119 total bases, and a .640 slugging percentage. His outstanding performance earned him recognition as an ABCA/Rawlings NCAA Division II All-Southeast Region Second Team honoree.
Path to Professional Baseball
Dean’s impressive collegiate career caught the attention of major league scouts. The Atlanta Braves selected him in the 17th round of the 2018 MLB Draft. Dean signed with the organization for a $125,000 signing bonus and began his professional career that same summer. He split his debut professional season between the rookie-level Danville Braves and the Single-A Rome Braves, appearing in 60 games and batting .284.
The 2019 season saw Dean return to Rome at the Single-A level, where he played in 109 games and continued to develop as an all-around player. He improved his power numbers with nine home runs while also driving in 46 runs and showcasing his speed with 47 stolen bases. The 2020 minor league season was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and Dean did not play in any professional games that year. The following season, the Braves promoted him to the Double-A Mississippi Braves, where he appeared in 99 games and swiped 29 bases.
Justin Emmanuel Dean Career
Atlanta Braves Minor League System (2018–2024)
Dean spent several years climbing through the Atlanta Braves farm system, proving himself as a consistent contact hitter with plus speed. After his initial promotion to Double-A Mississippi in 2021, he played winter ball in the Mexican Pacific League to gain additional experience. In 2022, he received his first Triple-A assignment with the Gwinnett Stripers but struggled early, batting only .204 in 19 games before being demoted back to Mississippi in May. He responded well, finishing the season at Double-A with a .320 batting average in 75 games and adding 19 stolen bases.
Dean received an invitation to major league spring training with the Braves in 2023 but did not make the opening day roster. He spent the entire 2023 season split between Mississippi and Gwinnett, appearing in 117 games with a .139 batting average. The 2024 season marked a bounce-back year as he split time between the same two affiliates, slashing .247/.338/.321 while recording 47 stolen bases, demonstrating his continued value as a speed threat at the minor league level. Dean elected free agency following the 2024 season on November 4.
Los Angeles Dodgers Breakthrough (2025)
On December 15, 2024, Dean signed a minor league contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers. He reported to Triple-A Oklahoma City Comets for the 2025 season and played exceptionally well, appearing in 90 games while slashing .289/.378/.395 with six home runs, 33 RBI, and 27 stolen bases. His strong performance earned him a spot on the Dodgers radar, and on August 8, 2025, he was selected to the 40-man roster and promoted to the majors for the first time.
Dean made his MLB debut that same night as a defensive replacement against the Toronto Blue Jays. Throughout the remainder of the regular season, he appeared in 18 games for the Dodgers, serving exclusively as a late-game defensive replacement and pinch runner. He recorded only two at-bats during the regular season, recording a strikeout and a groundout. Despite limited offensive opportunities, his speed and defensive value earned him a spot on the Dodgers postseason roster.
Chicago Cubs Era (2026–Present)
Following the Dodgers’ World Series championship run in 2025, Dean was outrighted to the minors on November 6 and removed from the 40-man roster. That same day, he was claimed off waivers by the San Francisco Giants. However, his time with the Giants was brief, as he was designated for assignment on January 6, 2026, following the signing of Tyler Mahle. On January 13, 2026, Dean was claimed off waivers by the Chicago Cubs. He was optioned to the Triple-A Iowa Cubs to begin the regular season, where he continues to serve as a depth player for the organization while awaiting his next major league opportunity.
Playing Style and Strengths
Dean has established himself as a contact-hitting outfielder with above-average speed. Throughout his minor league career, he has demonstrated the ability to steal bases at a high rate, recording as many as 47 stolen bases in a single season. He has played all three outfield positions, providing defensive versatility to his teams. His approach at the plate centers on putting the ball in play and using his speed to pressure defenses, though his power output has been modest at the professional level.
Notable Events and Milestones
Dean’s most significant career milestone came in 2025 when he reached the majors with the Los Angeles Dodgers. He appeared in 13 postseason games as a defensive replacement during the Dodgers’ championship run, scoring one run as a pinch runner in the Division Series. While he did not record a plate appearance during the postseason, he became a World Series champion as the Dodgers defeated their opponents in seven games. His MLB statistics through June 19, 2026, show a .250 batting average with no home runs and three RBI across limited appearances.
Justin Emmanuel Dean Career Wins
Dean has accumulated wins and achievements throughout his professional baseball career, with his most significant being the 2025 World Series championship with the Los Angeles Dodgers. His minor league career includes several seasons with impressive stolen base totals and solid batting averages across multiple levels of the Atlanta Braves system.
Los Angeles Dodgers Highlights
While with the Dodgers organization in 2025, Dean played 90 games with Triple-A Oklahoma City before his promotion to the majors. He slashed .289/.378/.395 with six home runs, 33 RBI, and 27 stolen bases at the Triple-A level. At the major league level, he appeared in 18 regular season games and 13 postseason games as the Dodgers captured the World Series title. His only run scored in the postseason came during the Division Series as a pinch runner.
Minor League Achievements
Throughout his time in the minor leagues, Dean posted several notable seasons. His 2019 campaign with Single-A Rome saw him hit .284 with nine home runs, 46 RBI, and 47 stolen bases. He also showed the ability to hit for average consistently, posting a .320 average in 75 games during the 2022 season with Double-A Mississippi. His 2024 season with Mississippi and Gwinnett included 47 stolen bases, demonstrating his elite speed tool throughout his professional career.
Justin Emmanuel Dean Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
No verified information is available regarding Justin Dean’s family background or any sports lineage within his family.
Personal Life
Dean maintains a public presence on Instagram under the handle @big_popaa. Beyond his baseball career, limited personal information has been made publicly available.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season marked a breakthrough year for Dean, who began the year in Triple-A with the Oklahoma City Comets. He played exceptionally well over 90 games, earning his first major league promotion in August. His debut came against the Toronto Blue Jays, and he immediately contributed as a defensive replacement and pinch runner. Throughout his brief regular season stint, he appeared in 18 games, primarily using his speed in late-inning situations. Following the regular season, he earned a spot on the Dodgers postseason roster and played a small but memorable role in their championship run, appearing in 13 postseason games. The Dodgers won the World Series in seven games, giving Dean his first championship ring. After the season, he was claimed off waivers by the San Francisco Giants before eventually landing with the Chicago Cubs organization in January 2026.