PHOENIX – Quebecer Édouard Julien, prospect for the Minnesota Twins, will use that experience at the World Baseball Classic to take his career to a new level. Nothing beats meeting “superstars” before becoming one.
• Also read: World Baseball Classic: Quebecers have a great time against Colombia
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“To be able to meet guys like that [Freddie] Freiman and [Tyler] O’Neill, it’s extraordinary, these are guys who’ve already found success in Major League Baseball, noted Julien, who plans to make his “show” debut with the Twins in 2023. Being able to be with them, see their routine and ask them questions is a privilege. I cherish every moment I spend with them.”
Photo Chris Coduto/Getty Images/AFP
Second baseman Édouard Julien has a defensive game against Colombia on Tuesday 14 March.
Julien, 23, has no regrets leaving Twins training camp for this experience with the Canada team. Better yet, he took full advantage of it to prove his worth to the Minnesota-based organization.
“It gives me experiences that I couldn’t have had at camp,” Julien said. It’s a big platform, the World Classic, and after playing against the best players in the United States, for example, like Mike Trout, Mookie Betts and others, it’s preparing for the next level.
The young Quebecer passed the test with flying colours. Before Wednesday’s game against Mexico, he had a .556 batting average and an amazing .714 attendance on the line. That means he hit bases 10 times in his first 14 record appearances.
Julien had five hits and five walks in games against Great Britain, the United States and Colombia. His first at bat of the tournament was a resounding home run on the first pitch that put Canada back in the game against Britain.
Photo Chris Coduto/Getty Images/AFP
Édouard Julien hit an important home run against Great Britain on Sunday March 12 at Chase Field.
Lopez and Toro touted
If the future looks bright for Julien, the main prospect wanted to turn the spotlight on his compatriots Otto Lopez of the Toronto Blue Jays and Abraham Toro of the Milwaukee Brewers.
“The future is bright for these two players,” said Julien. We’re lucky to have these two guys who grew up in Quebec who hit well and play in the infield. It’s rare and you have to take advantage of it to have them.
Barring a turnaround, you’ll soon have to capitalize on Édouard Julien being in the top leagues as well. And to complete the picture, let’s not forget Charles Leblanc who, after missing the World Classic through injury, is also an infielder in the Miami Marlins organization. .
“They want the success of others as much as they want their own success,” Julien elaborated on Lopez and Toro. I think both can make a difference on their Major level team. In the case of Lopez, he has this quality of being able to put his stick on the ball whenever it comes. You don’t see that often. With Special Defenses now banned, I think it will benefit him. For Toro, he’s a two-handed hitter who often gets the ball rolling, causes disruption on the field, and can play in a variety of positions defensively.