Edouard Julien Bio
Edouard Julien is a Canadian professional baseball second baseman who currently plays for the Colorado Rockies of Major League Baseball. The Quebec City native made his major league debut with the Minnesota Twins in 2023 after being selected by the organization in the 2019 MLB Draft. Julien represented Canada at the 2023 World Baseball Classic, where he finished as the tournament’s statistical leader in slugging percentage and OPS. He was traded to the Colorado Rockies in January 2026. Julien is known for his plate discipline and power-hitting ability from the second base position.
Early Life and Background
Edouard Julien was born on April 30, 1999, in Quebec City, Quebec, Canada. He attended Cardinal-Roy Secondary School in his hometown, where he developed his baseball skills before pursuing higher education in the United States. Julien enrolled at Auburn University to play college baseball for the Auburn Tigers. When he first arrived at Auburn, he faced a significant challenge: he could not speak English, which made his transition to American collegiate athletics particularly demanding.
During his time with the Auburn Tigers, Julien played collegiate summer baseball in the Cape Cod Baseball League. He suited up for the Falmouth Commodores in 2018 and returned to the league in 2019 with the Hyannis Harbor Hawks. These summer seasons helped him develop against top collegiate talent while improving his English language skills and adapting to the American style of play.
Path to Professional Baseball
Julien’s potential was recognized early by Major League Baseball organizations. The Philadelphia Phillies selected him in the 37th round of the 2017 MLB Draft, but Julien chose not to sign and instead attended Auburn University. After his sophomore year at Auburn, the Minnesota Twins selected him in the 18th round of the 2019 MLB Draft. Although he initially planned to return to Auburn for his junior year, the Twins increased their signing bonus offer to $493,000 and Julien decided to begin his professional career.
Due to surgery and the COVID-19 pandemic, Julien did not make his professional debut until 2021. He began the season with the Fort Myers Mighty Mussels and was promoted to the Cedar Rapids Kernels during the campaign. In 2022, he played for the Wichita Wind Surge, where he continued to develop his skills. His standout performance came in the 2022 Arizona Fall League, where he batted .365 with an on-base percentage of .535 and a slugging percentage of .683. He led the league in runs scored with 21 and walks with 20, catching the attention of Twins management.
Edouard Julien Career
Minnesota Twins Breakthrough (2023)
The Twins added Julien to their 40-man roster on November 15, 2022, to protect him from the Rule 5 Draft. They optioned him to the Triple-A St. Paul Saints to begin the 2023 season. After starting the campaign batting 9-for-29 with a .276 average, Julien received his promotion to the major leagues on April 12, 2023. He made his MLB debut shortly thereafter and quickly made an impression.
Julien recorded his first major league hit and his first home run in the same inning against the New York Yankees on April 13, 2023. He finished his rookie season with an impressive slash line of .263/.381/.459, complementing it with 16 home runs, 37 RBI, and 16 doubles. His plate discipline was evident in his ability to get on base, and his power production from the second base position drew praise from analysts. Julien received two votes in American League Rookie of the Year voting, finishing in seventh place in the balloting.
Continued Development (2024–2025)
Julien played in 94 games for the Minnesota Twins during the 2024 season. He posted a slash line of .199/.292/.323 with eight home runs, 21 RBI, and six stolen bases. The campaign represented a learning experience for the young second baseman as he adjusted to opposing pitchers’ strategies over a full major league season.
In the 2025 season, Julien made 64 appearances for the Twins, batting .220 with a .309 on-base percentage and a .324 slugging percentage. He contributed three home runs and 12 RBI during the campaign. His time with Minnesota concluded after the 2025 season, during which he established himself as a reliable defender at second base while continuing to refine his offensive approach.
Colorado Rockies Era (2026–Present)
On January 28, 2026, Julien was traded to the Colorado Rockies as part of a multi-player deal. The Twins sent Julien and Pierson Ohl to Colorado in exchange for Jace Kaminska and cash considerations. This move represented a new chapter in Julien’s career, joining a franchise known for its hitter-friendly ballpark. The trade provided Julien with an opportunity to showcase his power-hitting abilities in an environment favorable to offensive production.
Driving Style and Strengths
Julien is recognized for his exceptional plate discipline, a trait that has defined his offensive game throughout his career. His ability to work counts and draw walks has allowed him to maintain strong on-base percentages even when his batting average fluctuates. He possesses power-hitting ability from the second base position, a relative rarity in professional baseball that makes him a valuable offensive asset. His performance in the 2022 Arizona Fall League, where he led the league in runs and walks while posting a triple-slash line of .365/.535/.683, demonstrated his combination of contact ability and plate patience.
Notable Events and Milestones
Julien’s first major league hit and home run coming in the same inning against the New York Yankees on April 13, 2023, stands as a memorable debut moment. His performance at the 2023 World Baseball Classic cemented his reputation as one of Canada’s top baseball talents, as he led the entire tournament in slugging percentage and OPS. His 2022 Arizona Fall League campaign, where he dominated the competition and led multiple statistical categories, served as the springboard to his MLB promotion.
Edouard Julien Career Wins
Through June 26, 2026, Julien has compiled career MLB statistics that include 29 home runs, 88 RBI, and a .230 batting average across his time with the Minnesota Twins and Colorado Rockies. His most productive season came as a rookie in 2023, when he hit 16 home runs and drove in 37 runs while posting a .381 on-base percentage.
International Competition Highlights
Julien’s most significant career achievement to date came at the 2023 World Baseball Classic, where he represented Canada. He finished as the tournament’s statistical leader in both slugging percentage with an extraordinary 1.154 mark and OPS with a 1.821 figure. He homered on the first pitch of his first plate appearance in the tournament, hitting a shot off Great Britain’s Akeel Morris. Although Canada was eliminated in pool play despite convincing victories over Great Britain and Colombia, Julien’s individual performance stood out among all participants in the event.
Prior to his MLB career, Julien won a silver medal with Team Canada at the 2019 Pan American Games. During the games, he suffered an injury that required Tommy John surgery, which contributed to the delayed start of his professional career in 2021.
Other Wins and Performances
Julien’s minor league career included successful seasons with the Fort Myers Mighty Mussels, Cedar Rapids Kernels, and Wichita Wind Surge. His standout campaign in the Arizona Fall League in 2022, where he led the circuit in runs and walks while posting the league’s highest on-base percentage, established him as one of the top prospects in the Twins organization before his MLB debut.
Edouard Julien Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Specific details about Julien’s family background, including his parents and any family lineage in athletics, are not extensively documented in available sources.
Personal Life
In August 2018, while enrolled at Auburn University, Julien was arrested in Auburn, Alabama, for public intoxication and criminal littering. He was subsequently sentenced to perform community service. This incident occurred during his collegiate career and has not been reported as having a significant impact on his professional baseball trajectory.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season represented Julien’s third campaign with the Minnesota Twins organization. He appeared in 64 games, batting .220 with a .309 on-base percentage and a .324 slugging percentage. He contributed three home runs and 12 RBI during the season. The campaign saw Julien continue his role as a utility infielder, providing the Twins with defensive versatility at second base while working to maintain consistency in his offensive output.
Julien’s plate discipline remained a standout trait throughout the season, as he demonstrated the ability to work counts and get on base at a respectable rate. His walk rate continued to reflect the approach that made him successful in the minor leagues and during his rookie season. The Twins utilized him in various lineup configurations, taking advantage of his ability to handle different spots in the batting order.
As Julien approached the conclusion of the 2025 season, his performance positioned him for a potential change of scenery. The trade to the Colorado Rockies in January 2026 came after he had established himself as a major league player following his standout performance at the 2023 World Baseball Classic. The move to Colorado provided Julien with the opportunity to leverage his power-hitting ability in a ballpark that historically favors hitters, particularly left-handed power hitters.