Testimonial Tuesday: Tyler Dean

Date: March 19, 2019
By: Eric Leary

Leading by example. The last one to leave. Helping others get better. Hard work. Accountability.  Those are some of the phrases and terms used to describe the views of Tyler Dean of William Byrd High School in Vinton, Virginia. The 2021 middle infielder also added that it’s important for him to make sure things are done right to benefit the team. An attitude like this will be a help to any team, and if the player can play those attributes just multiplied in value.

Rest assured, this young man can play the game and perhaps is only scratching the surface of his abilities on the diamond. That is because the sophomore is benefitting from two important factors – hard work and age maturity. Dean says in the past year he’s put on as much as 30 pounds and grown several inches; so as he steps in the box on the right side he’s 6’2” and 175 pounds.  

As for the work, this past offseason saw him put in a regular schedule in the weight room, constantly taking ground balls both on the field and inside, grinding out tee work and getting weekly pitching instruction. Those efforts are probably what one might expect once they meet Tyler Dean or see the scrappy, line-drive hitting gamer play a game.  His effort is infectious and he demands it of himself and those around him.

To put it into perspective, take it from his Dirtbags coach from 2018, Brent Haynes said, “Tyler has plenty of arm strength and quickness to make plays in the hole look routine that would normally be base hits.”  

Haynes continued that Dean makes the routine plays look easy and he can really show his power in the gaps at the plate. This with his solid approach makes him an answer in the line-up whether near the top of the order or near the bottom.

Add to all of this that on the mound he takes a bulldog approach to getting hitters out with a mid-80s fastball. It is no surprise that he closes for his high school team, and as Haynes puts it, “It will be fun to watch him develop both as a position player and a pitcher.”

He hopes to translate all of this into success on the baseball field first for his Terriers of William Byrd High School. In 2018 the squad was really young, starting as many as 5 freshmen on the varsity.  But they still managed to knock off a ranked opponent in the playoffs. That just means the aspirations are aimed high in 2019 with what Dean says are several quality arms on the staff.

As the summer rolls around, the Dirtbags uniform will replace that of his high school. As with the last 3 years in the organization, Tyler is hoping to continue to develop here plus win games.  With a goal of one day playing DI baseball, he is hoping solid performances at big events like the WWBA will get him the exposure he needs to draw the attention of a high quality program.

The experiences in being with the Dirtbags have not left the slick fielding glove-man wanting. He has soaked it all in and cherished the moments. Especially when it has included playing vs. top ranked opponents in high profile events or hitting bombs in stadiums and fields like he did at ECU last year.  

For Tyler, the Dirtbag experience is about being a part of an organization that is just like him. A gritty, hard working team that is always looking to compete and destroy the opponent.  

It is perhaps this close bond that allows Dean to realize the fit is perfect because as he recognized the goal is to help players get to the next level and then commented, “Everyone wants you to succeed.”  

Well, that’s what leaders do. They lead people to their dreams by helping them recognize what they were capable of all along. Be looking for Tyler Dean to then lead his teams both now and in the future to being just like him – unbeatable. That’s because he’s always looking to take the opportunity to improve and get better.