The Dodgers on Friday swapped speedy outfielders, calling up Justin Dean from Triple-A Oklahoma City and optioning Esteury Ruiz back in the minors.
The bulk of Dean’s time in the outfield this season has been in center, where he’s started 57 games. He also started 15 games in right field, and played part of four games in left field as well.
Dean was hitting .274/.370/.426 with 11 doubles, six triples, six home runs, and a 106 wRC+ with the Comets, along with 25 stolen bases in 32 attempts. Fourteen of those steals have come in Dean’s last 27 games, without getting caught stealing during that span.
Ruiz has been active with the Dodgers since July 3, when he was called up after Max Muncy was placed on the injured list with a left knee bone bruise. In the 28 games in which he was active, Ruiz played in 17 games but started only six times, though none of those starts have come in the last seven games.
Most of Ruiz’s appearances were as a late-inning defensive replacement in the corner outfield, including seven games without batting. Contrast that with Dean, who has regularly played center field.
Ruiz’s 23 plate appearances were fewest on the team among players who were active that whole time, with four hits in 21 at-bats with one home run and two walks, hitting .190/.261/.333 with four stolen bases in four tries.