Top 100 prospect Julien called up by Twins

MINNEAPOLIS -- Edouard Julien showed everything the Twins could have hoped for in Double-A last season, absolutely demolished the Arizona Fall League and then flexed his muscles on the international stage as the leadoff hitter for Team Canada in the World Baseball Classic. He has already looked the part of a productive Major League hitter for years to come.

“My god, the kid can hit, man,” Carlos Correa said simply during Spring Training.

Now, he’ll have the chance to show it. Julien, the No. 96 prospect in baseball and ranked No. 4 in the organization per MLB Pipeline, was called up for the first time on Wednesday to take the roster spot of the injured Joey Gallo.

The 23-year-old Julien should be able to hit. There’s little question of that, as shown by his advanced knowledge of the strike zone and his ability to drive the ball with authority, which has rocketed the one-time 18th-round Draft pick from Auburn to MLB Pipeline’s Top 100 as he led all Minor Leaguers with at least 1,000 plate appearances in walks and on-base percentage across the past two seasons.

“He’s been better than a good hitter,” manager Rocco Baldelli said in Spring Training. “He’s been a guy that has already made a name for himself. He needs to continue that. But he swings the bat at a level probably better than most guys you’re going to find, even prospects.”

The concern, though, is whether he’ll be able to defend well enough to stick at one position -- and there is some question about that.

“Your bat can carry you in this game, and I like guys that can hit,” Baldelli said. “But he knows it’s only going to carry so far. He’s going to have to be a competitive defender going forward.”

But the Twins will make it work for now, given Gallo had to be placed on the IL with a right intercostal strain on Tuesday after trying out some swings in the batting cage. Though he reported feeling good after the swings and even took defensive drills at first base and shagged batting practice fly balls before the game, the Twins ultimately made the decision for Gallo to join Max Kepler on the IL.

Minutes later, Julien was removed from the Triple-A St. Paul lineup during the Saints’ game in Indianapolis.

The 23-year-old hit .276/.417/.517 to start this Triple-A season, going 9-for-29 with two homers and a double. That’s a line indicative of his performance throughout the Minors, which has involved the ability to hit for solid average, complemented by a huge number of walks that has made for a .437 career on-base percentage.

And while that level of patience can sometimes err on the side of being passive at the plate, Julien has worked with his hitting coaches on a more aggressive approach early in counts -- specifically trying to attack the first three pitches and drive them with authority. That approach helped the Quebec City native hit 17 homers and 19 doubles for Double-A Wichita last season -- along with 19 stolen bases.

“I'm trying to do damage on the first three pitches,” Julien said. “And if I don't, I'm going to trust my eyes and I'm not going to swing at balls. That's what I proved last year, that I was able to still walk and get more on base and still hit for average and still hit for power.”

About the defense, though -- Julien worked exclusively at second base last season and this spring, but he does have a history of some first base, third base and corner outfield as well, earlier in his Minor League career. Gallo’s injury creates an immediate opening at first base against right-handed starting pitchers, but the Twins could also move Kyle Farmer to first if they want to keep Julien planted at second.

Wherever Julien ends up on the field, though, the bat will be the main attraction -- and the show is set to begin.