Dean put together an excellent season with Navigators in 2011, registering a 2.86 ERA in 21 outings out of the bullpen. He struck out 25 hitters in 22 innings pitched, while limiting opponents to a .143 batting average and allowing one extra-base hit all season.

Dean also had a very successful 2012 for the University of Rhode Island posting a 2.35 era in 13 appearances. Dean struck out 27 in 30.2 innings of work while only surrendering 8 earned runs. 

A four-year member of the Danvers High varsity program, Dean put together a 16-1 career record with a 1.24 ERA.  As a senior, he was selected as the Baseball Player of the Year by the Lynn Item and Salem News, and was named the Northeastern Conference’s most valuable player. He also received all Eastern Mass and All-State All-Star honors as well as All-Scholastic Honors from the Boston Herald and Globe.