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Twins fans have mixed feelings about former top prospect's hot start with Rockies

We're glad to see him doing well with his new team. But it's too bad he couldn't be performing like this in a Twins uniform.
Oct 11, 2023; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Twins second baseman Edouard Julien (47) celebrates after  hitting a solo home-run in the sixth inning against the Houston Astros during game four of the ALDS for the 2023 MLB playoffs at Target Field. Mandatory Credit: Jesse Johnson-Imagn Images
Oct 11, 2023; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Twins second baseman Edouard Julien (47) celebrates after hitting a solo home-run in the sixth inning against the Houston Astros during game four of the ALDS for the 2023 MLB playoffs at Target Field. Mandatory Credit: Jesse Johnson-Imagn Images | Jesse Johnson-Imagn Images

Former Minnesota Twins infielder Edouard Julien has been on a tear at the plate thus far in his first season with the Colorado Rockies, who acquired Julien and right-handed reliever Pierson Ohl from the Twins for minor league right-hander Jace Kaminska and cash considerations in January. Julien, 26, is slashing .314/.385/.429 with one home run, one double, five RBI and two stolen bases in 15 games this year. Julien has mostly served as a designated hitter and second baseman for Colorado. He has also played three innings at first base for his new squad.

Julien's hot start likely gives many Twins fans mixed emotions. While we're happy to see Julien perform as well as he has at the plate this year, we would've been even happier to see him do so with Minnesota. Still, the Twins made the right move to move on from the infielder.

In his rookie season (2023), Julien posted 2.6 bWAR and a .263/.381/.459 (130 OPS+) slash line with 16 homers, 16 doubles and 37 RBI in 408 plate appearances across 109 regular-season games. The Canadian native also performed well during the playoffs that year, going 5-for-17 with one homer and five walks.

Unfortunately, Julien struggled significantly after the 2023 season, leading to his demotion to Triple-A St. Paul twice in 2024. He also spent most of the 2025 season in Triple-A St. Paul. He posted -0.2 bWAR and a 74 OPS+ in 94 MLB games in 2024, and -0.8 bWAR and a 76 OPS+ in 64 games with the Twins in 2025. He also regressed defensively last season, going from -4 Outs Above Average in 2024 to -8 Outs Above Average in 2025.

Twins should be happy they moved on from Julien despite his hot start

Even though it would've brought a smile to Twins fans' faces to see Julien perform well in a Twins uniform this year, Twins Territory doesn't have much to complain about these days as far as on-field performance goes. Even after losing to the Red Sox 9-5 today, the Twins have the best record in the American League (11-8).

And, even with Julien's strong performance thus far, he's been worth -0.1 bWAR due to poor defense and regularly playing at a hitter-friendly stadium in Coors Field. With Luke Keaschall, who was worth 0.2 bWAR this year before Monday's game despite hitting just .232/.289/.304, being the Twins' primary second baseman, Josh Bell the main designated hitter and occasional first baseman, and Victor Caratini and Kody Clemens the main first basemen, Minnesota doesn't have room for Julien.

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