April 12, 2023

By Kevin Glew

Canadian Baseball Network

Canadian infielder Edouard Julien (Quebec, Que.) is being called up by the Minnesota Twins, according to MLB.com reporter Do Hyoung-Park.

The ABC and Junior National Team alum was informed of his promotion after being removed from the triple-A St. Paul Saints game against Indianapolis on Monday night. Batting leadoff and playing second base, Julien had gone 1-for-2 with a double and an RBI in that contest.

In total, Julien was 9-for-31 (.290 batting average) with two home runs and nine runs in nine games for the Saints. He had also drawn seven walks which helped him register a .421 on-base percentage (OBP).

His strong performance in triple-A comes on the heels of an outstanding performance with Canada at the World Baseball Classic that saw him go 7-for-13 (.538 batting average) with two home runs and five walks in four games.

Julien also went 8-for-23 (.348 batting average) with three home runs in eight Grapefruit League games for the Twins this spring.

Selected in the 18th round of the 2019 MLB draft by the Twins, the Junior National Team alum enjoyed a breakout season in 2022. He batted .300 and posted a .441 OBP in 113 games for the double-A Wichita Wind Surge. He also belted 17 home runs, walked 98 times and stole 19 bases.

The 23-year-old Julien also excelled in the Arizona Fall League (AFL) for the Glendale Desert Dogs, finishing with a .400 batting average in 21 games to lead the circuit. He also topped the AFL with a .563 OBP and 1.248 on-base plus slugging percentage (OPS).

For his efforts, he was named AFL Breakout Player of the Year and the second baseman on Baseball America’s Double-A All-Star Team.

Baseball America had him ranked as the Twins’ fourth-best prospect.

With his call-up, he’ll become the first Canadian to make his big league debut in 2023 and the ninth player born in Canada to play in the majors this season.