The question is no longer whether Quebecer Édouard Julien can play regularly in major league baseball, but the use of the Minnesota Twins player in 2024 risks once again depending on his effectiveness against left-handed pitchers.
In a sport where advanced statistics are highly regarded, manager Rocco Baldelli will have the opportunity to use them to maximize his team’s chances of winning. For Julien, this could mean a presence on the bench when the opposing pitcher is left-handed.
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The statistics speak for themselves. In 2023, the Quebecer maintained a batting average of .274 and an attendance rate of .401 against right-handed gunners. Less often used against the “left legs”, he instead maintained an average of .196 and a low rate of .229.
Farmer’s versatility
The situation of Julien, a left-handed hitter, is not exceptional. Unless you are ambidextrous (and even then!), a player is often more successful on one side or the other.
Where it gets complicated for the Quebecer is that the Twins have built their team to deal with the vagaries of baseball. Veteran Kyle Farmer, versatile in defense, is therefore a right-handed hitter who, for his part, has more success against left-handed pitchers. In his case, we are talking about a batting average of .290 against “left-handers”, compared to a performance of .239 against right-handers.
Deserve your playing time
Don’t see this as a disavowal of the young man from Quebec who, for the majority of the season, should be in the Twins’ starting lineup as a second baseman. As a rookie last year, however, he only made eight starts against left-handed starters.
Édouard Julien hit 16 home runs during his first season in major league baseball, all against right-handed pitchers. Photo Michael Reaves/Getty Images via AFP
“My position at second base is not guaranteed, I have to prove to my manager and my teammates that I deserve my playing time,” Julien rightly expressed to colleague Rodger Brulotte, during the Twins training camp in Florida. .
The Quebecer then spoke of his desire to excel defensively, but he also knows very well that he must improve his offensive contribution against left-handed pitchers.
A first test when leaving
The Twins will begin the season in Kansas City on Thursday, March 28, in a three-game series spread over four days against the Royals. If Baldelli wants it, Julien could then have his first appearances of the season against a left-handed gunner, starter Cole Ragans.
And if ever the Quebecer were to start this first part of the season on the bench, we will then have to consider the advanced statistics before crying wolf.
Abraham Toro, Otto Lopez and Charles Leblanc could see action
If a position is guaranteed for Édouard Julien with the Minnesota Twins, other players who grew up in Quebec also hope to see action, during the 2024 season, in major baseball.
After having a successful training camp, Abraham Toro stands out as a possible utility player for the Oakland Athletics. The hiring of third baseman JD Davis in mid-March didn’t help Toro find a place in Oakland, but hope remains.
Abraham Toro
Photo Christian Petersen / Getty Images via AFP
On the other side of the San Francisco Bay, Otto Lopez is part of the list of 40 players on the Giants’ roster. Lopez played in the Blue Jays organization until last February, but the Toronto club sent him to San Francisco for a fee.
Otto Lopez
Photo Chris Coduto / Getty Images via AFP
Charles Leblanc, former color wearer of the Miami Marlins, also changed sides, finding himself in the Los Angeles Angels organization. In his case, however, he is not on the list of 40 players for his major baseball team. Thus, he cannot be recalled without the release of another athlete.
Charles Leblanc
Photo Steph Chambers / Getty Images via AFP
2024-03-25 04:17:32
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