Duke’s emerging right-hander flashing ace-level upside
Ben Dean entered Duke after a rough 2025 at Dayton, but his 2026 season showed real growth: he’s been used in key starts, logged a five-inning, nine-strikeout shutout outing, and picked up wins in major ACC games, including moving to 7-1 in a May 16 box score and earning an early-season rotation spot. The appeal is the swing-and-miss stuff and the competitive bite—he looks like a power RHP who can miss bats and handle pressure. For a staff needing upside, he’s a strong fit if consistency keeps trending up.
