Blake Dean (baseball)

Michael Blake Dean (born February 25, 1988) is a former professional baseball player who is currently the head coach of the New Orleans Privateers baseball program.

Blake Dean
Dean with the Great Lakes Loons in 2011
Current position
TitleHead Coach
TeamNew Orleans
ConferenceSouthland
Record256–220–1 (.538)
Biographical details
Born (1988-02-25) February 25, 1988 (age 36)
Fort Walton Beach, Florida, U.S.
Playing career
2007–2010LSU
2010Ogden Raptors
2011Great Lakes Loons
Position(s)Baseman
Coaching career (HC unless noted)
2012–2015New Orleans (AHC)
2016New Orleans (Interim HC)
2016–presentNew Orleans
Head coaching record
Overall256–220–1 (.538)
TournamentsSLC: 13–14
Accomplishments and honors
Awards
Player
  • Baseball America First-Team All-American (2008)
  • Baseball America Pre-Season Second-Team All-American (2009)
  • Rivals.com First-Team All-American (2009)

Playing career

Dean played collegiately at Louisiana State University (LSU). He was one of LSU's leading hitters and was named MVP of the 2008 SEC baseball tournament. He has also received many other freshman awards, such as 2007 Collegiate Baseball Freshman All-American; 2007 Freshman All-SEC; 2007 Louisiana Freshman of the Year; SEC Freshman of the Week (May 7, 2007 and April 16, 2007).[1][2]

Blake Dean tried out as a pitcher, coming out of high school. He was on the verge of getting cut, because he lacked velocity. He was quickly converted to a first baseman, after his coach saw him hit batting practice. He started all four years at first base and was one of the best power hitters in LSU baseball history.[3] In 2007, he played collegiate summer baseball for the Wareham Gatemen of the Cape Cod Baseball League, and was selected to participate in the league's All-Star Home Run Derby.[4][5]

In 2008 while helping lead his team to the 2008 College World Series, Dean was named a Baseball America First-Team All-American.[6] In 2009 Dean was given another All-America selection as he was named to the pre-Season All-America team by Baseball America (2nd team) and Rivals.com (1st team).[7] In 2010 Dean was a candidate for the Lowe's Senior Class Award.[8]

He was drafted in the tenth round of the Major League Baseball Amateur Draft in the summer of 2009 by the Minnesota Twins, but did not sign.[9] He then was drafted in the eighth round by the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2010. He spent two years in the Dodgers' farm system, one with the Ogden Raptors and one with the Great Lakes Loons.

Coaching career

Dean became an assistant for the New Orleans Privateers baseball team after retiring from professional play.[10]

After three seasons as an assistant, Dean was named the interim head coach heading into the 2016 season[11] and, soon after, named permanent head coach.[12]

Statistics

YearAgeTeamConfGABRH2B3BHRRBISBCSBBSOBAOBPSLGOPSTBSHSFIBBHBPGDP
200719LSUSEC562063065123746112025.316.366.505.8711040812
200820LSUSEC6726962951832073423546.353.432.6651.0971790245
200921LSUSEC7225967851801771425037.328.432.5951.02715401057
Totals:1957341592454864419095105108.332.410.588.9984370201011

Roll over stat abbreviations for definitions. Stats through June 25, 2009.

References:[13][14][15]

Head coaching record

Below is a table of Dean's yearly records as an NCAA head baseball coach.

Statistics overview
SeasonTeamOverallConferenceStandingPostseason
New Orleans Privateers (Southland Conference) (2016–present)
2016New Orleans31–2614–16T–7thSouthland Tournament
2017New Orleans30–28–116–14T–7thSouthland Tournament
2018New Orleans29–3214–16T–7thSouthland Tournament
2019New Orleans29–2713–17T–9th
2020New Orleans11–62–1T–2ndSeason canceled due to COVID-19
2021New Orleans29–2823–172ndSouthland Tournament
2022New Orleans30–2313–113rdSouthland Tournament
2023New Orleans36–2413–11T–3rdSouthland Tournament
2024New Orleans31–2614–103rdSouthland Tournament
New Orleans:256–220–1122–113
Total:256–220–1

      National champion        Postseason invitational champion  
      Conference regular season champion         Conference regular season and conference tournament champion
      Division regular season champion      Division regular season and conference tournament champion
      Conference tournament champion

References