Edouard

Julien

Manager Rocco Baldelli said he hoped to have an answer to Lewis’s position by the start of spring training, suggesting it won’t be a competition between second baseman Edouard Julien and third base candidates Brooks Lee and Jose Miranda for the other spot. The Twins could make an addition at either second or third, but they are strapped for cash and more focused on first base. Barring a pickup, it sounds like the Twins are leaning towards using Lewis at second, Julien could then still factor in at first or DH if he impresses in spring training.

If all goes well, he should return during the middle of the week. Edouard Julien is probably first in line to get sent down to make room for him.

It seems the Twins again favor Jose Miranda, though that’s something they’ve been going back and forth on. Julien figured to sit against the lefty on Thursday, but tonight’s game is second consecutive absence versus a righty, too. Julien had a decent run in his first few weeks back in the majors, hitting .289/.351/.404 from Aug. 16 to Sept. 7. However, he’s gone 1-for-22 with no walks in his last six games.

As has become the norm in Minnesota, most of the lefties will sit with Cleveland starting left-hander Joey Cantillo. However, interestingly, Matt Wallner remains in the starting lineup and batting eighth. Manuel Margot will plat left field in Larnach’s place, and Kyle Farmer will play second base for Edouard Julien. The good news if you roster any of these Twins is that they get matchups against three right-handed pitchers in Boston this weekend.

With the Guardians starting left-hander Matthew Boyd, the Twins will sit all of their left-handed hitters. Manuel Margot will start in right field, Ryan Jeffers will start at DH, and Kyle Farmer will start at second base.

Julien continues to hit leadoff against right-handed pitching for Minnesota and the only question is why? He’s 10-for-56 (.178) with one home run and four RBI in his last 20 games. The Twins rightfully pull him out of the game anytime a left-handed pitcher comes out of the bullpen, but it’s not like they couldn’t live without his bat against right-handed pitching. Julien is hitting .210 with a .645 OPS and 21 RBI on the year.

The Twins currently seem to prefer Edouard Julien at second base and Royce Lewis at third after trying Lewis at second base last week. Neither Miranda nor Julien is hitting much at all at the moment. Kyle Farmer, on the other hand, just went 4-for-9 with two homers against the Angels earlier this week. However, he’s also out of the lineup for a second straight game.

Julien scorched a blast with two runners on off Taj Bradley to give Minnesota a 3-0 lead in the second inning. The 25-year-old has homered eight times while driving in 21 runs over 82 games. Julien has been a disappointment in 2024, but he isn’t far removed from showing considerable promise in 2023. He’s a bounceback candidate for 2025.

The Twins have deemed him ready. Lewis previously played three innings at second base on Sunday in his first action at the position. He played the position just once in the minors, plus four times in the Arizona Fall League. The position change will result in less playing time for Edouard Julien, who could go back to Triple-A once the Twins activate Byron Buxton. Jose Miranda should see more time at third.

Julien looked like a potential breakout fantasy star coming into the year, but that never quite materialized as he struggled to a lackluster .665 OPS with seven homers and six steals in 63 games this season at the highest level. He’ll join the Twins ahead of Thursday’s series opener against the Rangers with Byron Buxton (hip) heading to the injured list.