Austin Dean has nothing left to prove at the Triple-A level, having slashed .329/.403/.474 with nine home runs in 387 plate appearances with the New Orleans Baby Cakes. It was just a question of whether the Marlins could find room for him on their active roster.

Coming off an atrocious road trip (particularly the series sweep in Cincinnati that saw the Fish limited to one run in three games), they’ve chosen Dean as a possible offensive catalyst, as first reported by SiriusXM/Five Reason Sports Network host Craig Mish.

The 25-year-old is available to play Friday night against the Phillies. Though used only as a left fielder during his first major league opportunity last summer, he had been the steady right fielder over the past week for New Orleans.

This news comes just one day after we posted a poll on the Fish Stripes Twitter account, asking fans to predict which Triple-A reinforcement would earn a call-up first (Dean or right-hander Zac Gallen). Most of you saw this coming.

In a corresponding move, Peter O’Brien was optioned to Triple-A NOLA. He looked uncomfortable at the plate during this stint as a major league regular (.111/.200/.222, 46.7 K% in 30 PA).

Meanwhile, fellow right-handed batter/corner outfielder Garrett Cooper remains sidelined with a left calf strain.

Amazing timing! We still have discounted tickets available to see J.T. Realmuto’s return/Dean’s possible 2019 debut/Fish Stripes Night...