Edouard Julien Bio
Edouard Julien is a Canadian professional baseball second baseman currently playing in Major League Baseball (MLB). Born in Quebec City, Quebec, he has built his career as a middle-infield bat known for plate discipline and on-base ability. After rising through the minor leagues, Julien debuted in the majors with the Minnesota Twins in 2023, the same year he represented Canada on the international stage. He is now a member of the Colorado Rockies.
Across his early MLB seasons, Julien has shown flashes of offensive upside while continuing to develop as a defender at second base. His combination of contact skills, walks, and occasional power has made him a versatile middle-infield option. The combination of his college pedigree and his international résumé has helped him earn opportunities at the highest level of professional baseball.
Early Life and Background
Edouard Julien was born on April 30, 1999, in Quebec City, Quebec, Canada, where he grew up surrounded by the strong baseball culture of the province. He attended Cardinal-Roy Secondary School in Quebec City, where he developed into one of the top amateur prospects in the country. His French-Canadian upbringing shaped his early baseball identity before he eventually transitioned to the English-speaking baseball world in the United States.
Julien’s path to professional baseball took an unconventional turn in 2017, when the Philadelphia Phillies selected him in the 37th round of the Major League Baseball draft. Rather than sign, he opted to continue his development in college, choosing Auburn University to play for the Auburn Tigers. Upon arriving on campus, Julien could not yet speak English, adding a significant academic and social challenge to his athletic transition. The move, however, would prove foundational for his future in the sport.
Path to Baseball
At Auburn, Julien quickly adapted both to collegiate competition and to life in the United States. During the summers, he played in the Cape Cod Baseball League, suiting up for the Falmouth Commodores in 2018 and the Hyannis Harbor Hawks in 2019. These experiences against top amateur talent sharpened his approach at the plate and helped him build the offensive profile that scouts had begun to project. His strong college performance set the stage for a higher selection in the next draft.
After his sophomore year, the Minnesota Twins selected Julien in the 18th round of the 2019 MLB draft. Although he initially considered returning to Auburn for his junior season, the Twins increased their signing bonus offer to $493,000, convincing him to begin his professional career. The decision marked a turning point, giving Julien a clear path through the Twins’ minor-league system and a long-term organizational plan tailored to his strengths as a hitter.
Edouard Julien Career
Early Career (2019–2022)
A combination of Tommy John surgery and the COVID-19 pandemic delayed Julien’s professional debut until 2021. He began that year with the Fort Myers Mighty Mussels before earning a midseason promotion to the Cedar Rapids Kernels. The following season, in 2022, he advanced again, spending the year with the Wichita Wind Surge and showing the offensive consistency that had defined his amateur career. He closed the year by batting .365/.535/.683 in the Arizona Fall League, leading the circuit in runs and walks.
On November 15, 2022, the Twins added Julien to their 40-man roster to protect him from the Rule 5 draft, a sign that the organization viewed him as a near-term major-league contributor. His climb through Fort Myers, Cedar Rapids, and Wichita gave him experience at every full-season level of the minor leagues. By the end of 2022, he had positioned himself as one of the Twins’ most intriguing young position-player prospects.
Minnesota Twins Era (2023–2025)
Julien began the 2023 season at Triple-A St. Paul, where he opened by batting .276 over his first 29 plate appearances. On April 12, 2023, the Twins promoted him to the major leagues, and just one day later he recorded his first MLB hit and his first home run in the same inning against the New York Yankees. He finished his rookie campaign with a .263/.381/.459 slash line, 16 home runs, 37 runs batted in, and 16 doubles, earning two votes in American League Rookie of the Year voting and finishing seventh overall.
In 2024, Julien appeared in 94 games for Minnesota, slashing .199/.292/.323 with eight home runs, 21 runs batted in, and six stolen bases. The following season, in 2025, he made 64 appearances for the Twins, batting .220/.309/.324 with three home runs and 12 runs batted in. Across his three full seasons with the organization, he provided the club with a contact-oriented second-base option and an experienced left-handed bat.
Colorado Rockies Era (2026–Present)
On January 28, 2026, the Minnesota Twins traded Edouard Julien and Pierson Ohl to the Colorado Rockies in exchange for pitcher Jace Kaminska and cash considerations. The move opened a new chapter for Julien, who joined a Colorado organization looking to add young, controllable position players. He arrived at Coors Field with the opportunity to play an everyday role in the middle infield.
Through June 20, 2026, Julien had appeared in major-league games for the Rockies, batting .229 with 29 home runs and 87 runs batted in on the season. His power output reflected the boost often associated with the thin air of Denver, while his on-base skills remained a central part of his offensive identity. The trade positioned him to take on a more prominent role as the team’s everyday second baseman.
Driving Style and Strengths
Julien’s game is built around a patient, disciplined approach at the plate, where his walk rate and on-base percentage typically outpace his batting average. He shows above-average bat control from the left side, with the ability to work counts and punish mistakes in the strike zone. Defensively, he brings steady hands and reliable footwork to second base, pairing his offensive profile with the defensive versatility clubs value at the position. His profile as a high-on-base second baseman has been the foundation of his professional trajectory.
Notable Events and Milestones
One of the defining early moments of Julien’s major-league career came on April 13, 2023, when he collected his first hit and his first home run in the same inning against the New York Yankees. On the international stage, he homered on the first pitch of his first plate appearance at the 2023 World Baseball Classic off Great Britain’s Akeel Morris. He finished that tournament as the statistical leader in slugging percentage and OPS, cementing his reputation as a high-impact international performer. Those milestones underscored the offensive ceiling that has followed him from Quebec City to the major leagues.
Edouard Julien Career Wins
Although career statistics for a position player are typically measured in offensive production rather than wins, Julien has built a résumé marked by consistent on-base skills and growing power. His best offensive season to date came in his rookie year of 2023, when he combined 16 home runs with a .381 on-base percentage. The 2026 campaign with the Colorado Rockies has added another layer, featuring a marked increase in his home-run output.
Major League Highlights
Julien’s major-league highlights began with his debut hit and home run against the New York Yankees in April 2023. He added a strong finish to that rookie season, earning recognition in American League Rookie of the Year voting. The 2026 season with the Rockies produced 29 home runs and 87 runs batted in through June 20, marking the most power-driven stretch of his career to that point.
Other Wins and Performances
Beyond his major-league résumé, Julien has produced standout performances in the minors, the Arizona Fall League, and in international competition. He helped Team Canada win a silver medal at the 2019 Pan American Games and led the 2023 World Baseball Classic in slugging percentage and OPS. Those international achievements, paired with his minor-league success, have helped define his reputation as one of Canada’s top baseball talents.
Edouard Julien Family
Family Background and Personal Life
Edouard Julien was raised in Quebec City, where he attended Cardinal-Roy Secondary School before leaving Canada to pursue college baseball in the United States. His French-Canadian roots have remained a defining part of his identity as a player representing Canada internationally. The move from Quebec to Auburn represented a major cultural shift, particularly as he worked to learn English while competing at a high level.
In August 2018, Julien was arrested in Auburn, Alabama, on charges of public intoxication and criminal littering. He was sentenced to perform community service, an incident that became a public part of his biography during his amateur years. The experience offered a reminder of the challenges young international players often face while adjusting to life far from home.
2025 Season Performance
Edouard Julien entered the 2025 season as a member of the Minnesota Twins, working to solidify his role at second base following his rookie-year success in 2023. He appeared in 64 games for the club, posting a .220/.309/.324 slash line with three home runs and 12 runs batted in. The campaign reflected an offensive step back compared with his rookie production, as he worked to refine his approach and adjust to opposing pitchers’ adjustments to him.
Despite the lower offensive output, Julien continued to provide the Twins with a left-handed bat capable of working counts and getting on base. His plate discipline and defensive play at second base kept him in the club’s plans, and his ongoing development remained a priority for the organization. The 2025 season ultimately served as a transitional year, one in which he continued to gain valuable big-league experience while preparing for the next phase of his career.
Julien’s 2025 campaign ended with the trade that sent him and Pierson Ohl to the Colorado Rockies in January 2026, setting the stage for his power surge in Denver. The transition offered him an opportunity to reset his offensive profile in a new environment, and the early returns from the 2026 season suggested renewed momentum. Heading beyond 2025, Julien’s combination of on-base skills and growing power positioned him as a middle-infield piece with significant upside.
