The Atlanta Braves are just getting started this spring but Justin Dean is making an early impression.

Yes, it’s only been eight at-bats. He’s only has four hits. He could go hitless over his next 20 at-bats and we’ll forget this ever happened. Bur for now, let’s take a look at the 26-year-old who is hitting .500 with four steals in eight at-bats.

Dean only has 19 Triple-A games under his belt. In two seasons in Double-A he has an OPS of .697. He has shown very little power throughout his minor league career.

Dean has really shined on the basepaths, stealing 56 bases in just 137 single-A games. He added 48 more in 177 Double-A games.

Despite not showing much in the power department as a professional, Dean did sport a .532 slugging percentage over three college seasons. In 141 games he swatted 11 homers, 34 doubles, and 12 triples! He stole 34 bases while only getting caught six times.

His 80 collegiate walks plus his .367 average led him to a .467 on-base percentage.

Let’s enjoy Dean’s spring so far. It’s fair to wonder what kind of damage the speedster could do with the new pickoff rules in the major leagues. He has a chance to make an impression this spring but he’ll need to prove himself in Triple-A.

Dean needs to show he can take the next step against better competition.