Dean: Settles in Connecticut to Play

Connecticut Tigers' Jordan Dean

Earlier this month, Jordan Dean was selected in the 15th round by the Detroit Tigers in the MLB baseball Draft. The middle infielder from Central Michigan University has been called to play in Connecticut for the Connecticut Tigers, an affiliate minor league team of the Detroit Tigers.

The minor league team Dean is playing for is one tier below single A, which is the West Michigan Whitecaps. The Tigers have a total of six minor league affiliate teams total. The Midland native flew out to Lakeland, Florida where the Tigers play their spring training games to get a physical and workout for the team. After being in Lakeland, he was called to Connecticut to play middle infield.

Dean has not yet seen playing time for the Tigers. The team has only played two games thus far but will wait for his turn in the rotation to show his fielding and batting skills that he brings to the Detroit Tigers organization. Dean is looking forward for the opportunity to move up from Connecticut to single A to get a chance to play against Midland's Great Lakes Loons in front of a home crowd. But for now, Dean will wait for his chance to take the field for the Connecticut Tigers and turn heads around the league and the organization of the Detroit Tigers.

Midland's Jordan Dean Drafted By Tigers

Jordan Dean: 15th round selection of the Detroit Tigers

Central Michigan's Jordan Dean was drafted in the 15th round of the Major League Baseball draft Tuesday by the Detroit Tigers. Dean is a shortstop from Midland Bullock Creek who is in his junior year for the Chippewas. Dean said he was "overwhelmed and excited" to hear his name on day two of the draft, "I didn't receive a phone call beforehand, I was listening to the draft broadcast on the porch and all of a sudden we heard my name".

For Dean, getting drafted on day two shouldn't come as much surprise as he was in the top ten of NCAA Division 1 with 96 hits on the season, which is second most all-time in Central Michigan history. Dean finished 11th in the country with 60 runs, while hitting .360 with seven home runs. Dean led the team in slugging percentage at .508 and stolen bases with nine.

Since Dean is only a junior he will have to make a decision in regards to jumping to professional or finishing school and playing his senior year. I'm sure the Chippewas would be relieved to have one of the best hitters in their history to come back and play for one more year. Knowing Dean personally, I look forward to watching him play against the Great Lakes Loons in a West Michigan Whitecaps Uniform and moving up in Detroit's farm system and hopefully someday fielding ground balls at shortstop and hitting gap shots at Comerica Park sporting the old english D on his hat.