UPDATE: The Dodgers formally introduced Dean’s promotion and Ruiz’s choice on Friday afternoon. The Dodgers DFA’ed Luken Baker to make room on the 40-man roster.
The Dodgers dropped two out of three video games to the Cardinals this week, dropping their division result in two over the Padres. They managed to spoil Shohei Ohtani’s greatest begin up to now — through which he additionally hit a two-run homer to place the Dodgers on high for a lead the bullpen would finally give up — and aside from a short flash of life from the offense after they teed off of Miles Mikolas, they went quiet once more within the finale.
Possibly they only want a spark. However are we so positive the crew’s newest roster transfer will present that? It is exhausting to consider minor leaguer Justin Dean — who, per Sonja Chen of MLB.com is being known as as much as the majors on Friday — particularly when there was arguably a more sensible choice.
The Dodgers already quietly optioned Esteury Ruiz again to Triple-A on Thursday. The Dean transfer has but to change into official, however they’re ostensibly buying and selling one speedy, light-hitting outfielder for an additional. Dean’s numbers in Triple-A are respectable, and that is his seventh yr in skilled baseball and not using a main league look, however his promotion brings up questions on an under-the-radar fan favourite who has additionally by no means gotten a shot within the majors: Ryan Ward.
Justin Dean is certainly becoming a member of the Dodgers tomorrow, per supply. @dodger_daily had it first.
Dean joined the org on a Minor League deal within the offseason. He slashed .274/.370/.426, stole 25 bases and performed all three outfield positions with OKC. He isn’t on the 40-man roster.— Sonja Chen (@SonjaMChen) August 7, 2025
Dodgers reportedly calling up longtime farmhand outfielder Justin Dean over raking outfielder Ryan Ward
Ward is not a high prospect and has by no means been a high prospect, however his offensive numbers all through mainly his complete minor league profession have been unimaginable. This yr, he is batting .301 with a .967 OPS, leads the Pacific Coast League in homers with 28, and leads in RBI by a large margin. Extra behind-the-scenes metrics should not communicate very extremely in his favor if the Dodgers flat-out refuse to advertise him when he rakes, however why not give the man a shot?
Ward hit 33 dwelling runs and drove in 101 runs final yr, and he is on tempo to shatter these numbers this season. He has a 12.8% stroll price and 18.7% strikeout price, each dramatically improved from 2024.
Dean joined the Dodgers on a minor league contract in December 2024 and received an invite to spring coaching. He is a good bat — .274 with a .796 OPS — and his velocity will simply substitute Ruiz’s. If Dean’s keep within the majors does not find yourself being only a phantom stint, he could possibly be thrilling to look at.
However the query of what the Dodgers are doing with Ward goes to maintain cropping up each time they go for an outfielder with an inferior bat. It is turning into a perennial Dodgers thriller that they do not appear hard-pressed to unravel.
