June 4, 2024

By Kevin Glew

Canadian Baseball Network

The Minnesota Twins sent infielder Edouard Julien down to triple-A on Monday, according to the MLB Transactions page.

In a corresponding move, the Twins will activate third baseman Royce Lewis from the injured list.

After a strong rookie campaign with the Twins, Julien (Quebec, Que.) went just 13-for-72 (.181 batting average) in 27 games for the Twins in May and saw his batting average dip to .207. In total in 58 contests with the Twins in 2024, Julien has 35 hits - including seven home runs - and 17 RBIs.

In 109 regular season games with the Twins in 2023, Julien set a record for most home runs by a Canadian second baseman in a major league season with 16. He also topped Twins’ regulars in walks (64) and on-base percentage (OBP) (.381). For his efforts, he finished seventh in the American League Rookie of the Year voting.

That impressive rookie season came on the heels of his outstanding performance with Canada at the World Baseball Classic that saw him go 7-for-13 (.538 batting average) with two home runs and five walks in four games.

Selected in the 18th round of the 2019 MLB draft by the Twins, the Junior National Team alum enjoyed a breakout minor league season in 2022 when he batted .300 and posted a .441 OBP in 113 games for the double-A Wichita Wind Surge. He also belted 17 home runs, walked 98 times and stole 19 bases.