Can Brooks Lee and Edouard Julien Coexist on a Functional Minnesota Twins Roster?

[Greggory Masterson]

Many roster projections, including some on this very website, predict that both young infielders will make the team out of spring training. But that invites a question: Even if they’re both performing adequately, is there enough playing time to go around?

Image courtesy of © Jonathan Dyer-Imagn Images

Second base is perhaps the only roster battle (on the hitter side) for the Twins this spring training. They have three leading candidates: Willi Castro, Brooks Lee, and Edouard Julien—three hitters who each face major questions ahead of the 2025 season.

Lee and Julien, each (at different times) dubbed the Twins’ future answer at the keystone, struggled last season. In 185 plate appearances as a rookie, Lee had a .585 OPS, and Julien only performed marginally better. For what it’s worth, Lee appears to be the far superior defender, but neither inspires supreme confidence.

The general feeling among onlookers is that the battle for second base is between Lee and Julien, but if neither performs, Castro will be a suitable solution. Although he struggled in the second half last season (.627 OPS, 77 OPS+), and some of his value is tied up in being to play all over the diamond, Castro has been a relatively consistent (103 OPS+ between 2023 and 2024) option and could fill the position admirably.

However, even if Castro is the Opening Day second baseman, that versatility likely means there will still be a spot for Lee or Julien on the bench. Without Lee or Castro, the alternatives at second base would be Royce Lewis, Austin Martin, or Mickey Gasper. So whether or not one of the two wins the starting job, there will be at least one spot for them to fight over.

Lee certainly has more flexibility than Julien, with the ability to play second base, third base, and shortstop. There are questions as to whether Lee has the range to play shortstop, but if he’s on the team, he’d probably be the backup shortstop, edging out Castro. Julien, on the other hand, can play only questionable defense at second and first base. Whether they were the starting second baseman or a bench player, both would get at least a little playing time away from the keystone.

And yet, it’s debatable whether both can get enough playing time right now.

Dividing Up Playing Time
For this exercise, let's assume that Lee wins the job out of spring training and is the team’s primary second baseman (which seems more likely at this point). Suppose Julien makes the team as a bench player who will see time at first base, second base, and designated hitter. In that case, the bench will look like this: Julien as a backup infielder, Harrison Bader as a backup outfielder, Castro as a super-utility option, and Christian Vázquez as the backup catcher.

In this case, where would Julien get his playing time? Well, he wouldn’t be starting against lefties, so we can cross out about 25-30% of games right away. Then, we need to consider Bader and Castro. Bader will (hopefully) mainly be playing center field, giving Byron Buxton the day off. Still, he’ll also get the occasional start in a corner, bumping Matt Wallner or Trevor Larnach to designated hitter or shielding them from a left-handed starter altogether. It seems Bader will be something of a pseudo-starter, getting considerable run—more than a standard fourth outfielder.

Speaking of pseudo-starters, Castro, too, will play a lot. However, he needs to coexist with Bader, which means that Castro will play minimally in center field (where he started 24 times in 2024 and 29 times in 2023). Twins fans can expect Castro to play a more prominent role on the dirt, in this scenario, especially against righties. (He’s better from the left side of the plate.)

In that case, Julien would get time at second base (if Lee is either covering shortstop for the day or taking the day off and Castro is on the bench) or playing third base or the outfield (which would only be days that Bader is in center or sitting). In short, he would only play second base on days that neither Lee nor Castro are, and there’s a righty on the mound.

Julien can play first base and DH. However, first base is also crowded (albeit not with elite talent but rather hard-to-move bodies), given the presence of Jose Miranda and Ty France—pseudo-starters themselves, at minimum. Miranda will also get time at third base, further limiting Castro’s non-second-base duties. Even without that, the path to playing time for Julien at first base isn’t clear; he didn't meet the offensive standard at the position last year.

It’s a couple of crowded rooms that Julien is stepping into, and as a bat that the Twins (at least in the recent past) thought could be a future asset, it’s hard to sign him up for playing so sparingly.

We don’t need to do the same step-by-step with Lee, because many of the same factors come into play. If Lee isn’t the primary second baseman, some of his time will come in starts against lefties (hitting right-handed has historically been his weaker side, at least in the minors, for what it’s worth) at second base, in lieu of Julien. He would see minimal time at DH, so the rest of his action against righties would come when A) Lewis, Castro, and Miranda aren’t playing third base, B) Correa isn’t playing shortstop, and C) Julien and Castro aren’t playing second base.

He’d probably be able to weasel his way into more playing time as a bench player than Julien would, but it’s hard to see it being more than about 70% of the time, which might not be enough to justify the very recent top prospect’s role.

Of course, all of this goes out the window when the Twins face some injury, which is inevitable—and may even happen before Opening Day. Also, if Castro doesn't repeat his performance of the last two seasons, Lee and Julien will have more time. But as this roster is constructed right now, there are too many players in line for regular time to roster both Lee and Julien. Despite their flexibility, there’s only enough room for one to get enough playing time to flourish.

Given all of the platoon bats and pseudo-starters, a lesser player may actually have more utility than one of the two second basemen. If Julien starts the year in Triple A, Gasper could be an option who can do the things Julien can do (get on base and play passable first, second, and DH) while also serving as an emergency catcher—without the handwringing over whether the 29-year-old rookie is getting enough playing time.

Martin and DaShawn Keirsey could also play bit roles at the end of the bench. Martin, a righty hitter, could see time versus southpaws in the outfield (though he doesn’t have great platoon splits), keep Castro out of center (where he is at higher risk of wearing down), be an emergency option at second base behind Castro and whichever of the two make the team, and be a pinch-running option late in games.

Keirsey, too, can cover all three outfield spots and pinch-run, though he is left-handed and a bit redundant alongside Wallner and Larnach. However, if the Twins are looking for something they don’t have, his speed complements the current roster, and could you imagine a late-game outfield defense of Bader, Buxton, and Keirsey? Wow.

Again, none of this will matter once someone inevitably gets hurt, but with FanGraphs’s Roster Resource projecting both to make the Opening Day roster, it’s worth examining how feasible that would actually be.

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[RpR]

Lee could out in the field bare-handed and be a better fielder than Julien.

Lee has nothing to worry about.

[HerbieFan]

I just don't see any value in Julien that has any thing to do with putting on a glove.  And he seems to have forgotten how to hit.

[stringer bell]

To answer the question, I don't think it's comfortable if there is full health of the position players. Miranda should be getting plenty of plate appearances against right handed pitching and Castro will play somewhere. Having one or both of these younger guys sit on the bench against right handed pitching makes very little sense. 

If Willi is needed in the outfield or if there is an injury to left-side infielders, then Lee can get his reps there. 

[Fire Dan Gladden]

I don't think you can ignore what Gasper has done this Spring.  He doing everything he needs to do to secure 2B.  Could easily see Julien, Lee, or even both start the season in AAA.

[Pykkman]

Depth on the position side…and depth on the pitching side.   This front office is terrible 

[tony&rodney]

Spotlight on front office for not capitalizing on trade value when it coincides with multiple players capable of playing the same position (2B - Lee, Castro, Julien, Martin, Gasper, Keaschall, Eeles, etc.). Somebody took the offseason off.

The other viewpoint is that the Twins were interested in a Spring Training competition. JK.

[Heiny]

Assuming France wins a roster spot and Lee wins the 2b spot, the bench looks like Vasquez, Miranda, Castro, and Bader.  No room for  Julien in this scenario.  If Gasper comes north then Lee would also start in St. Paul.  In any case I just don't see enough roster spots for both Lee and Julien.  Lees' defense is far superior and I'm not convinced that Julien has even earned  a roster spot at this point.

[Nashvilletwin]

Trade them both - give them a chance to fully develop as major leaguers.  Besides, Falvey should maximize their trade value before Rocco screws them up further. 

[tony&rodney]

12 minutes ago, Heiny said:

Assuming France wins a roster spot and Lee wins the 2b spot, the bench looks like Vasquez, Miranda, Castro, and Bader.  No room for  Julien in this scenario.  If Gasper comes north then Lee would also start in St. Paul.  In any case I just don't see enough roster spots for both Lee and Julien.  Lees' defense is far superior and I'm not convinced that Julien has even earned  a roster spot at this point.

So if Eeles is at second base, where do Brooks Lee and Edouard Julien play? Keaschall? Oh, Austin Martin?

[The Mad King]

I wish Rocco would just throw away his r/l platoons and just play the best infield defense he can.

[stringer bell]

16 minutes ago, Heiny said:

Assuming France wins a roster spot and Lee wins the 2b spot, the bench looks like Vasquez, Miranda, Castro, and Bader.  No room for  Julien in this scenario.  If Gasper comes north then Lee would also start in St. Paul.  In any case I just don't see enough roster spots for both Lee and Julien.  Lees' defense is far superior and I'm not convinced that Julien has even earned  a roster spot at this point.

You're miscounting by one, I believe. One of the bench players you listed is the DH and then there is room for one more player.

[stringer bell]

29 minutes ago, tony&rodney said:

Spotlight on front office for not capitalizing on trade value when it coincides with multiple players capable of playing the same position (2B - Lee, Castro, Julien, Martin, Gasper, Keaschall, Eeles, etc.). Somebody took the offseason off.

The other viewpoint is that the Twins were interested in a Spring Training competition. JK.

Probably not time to trade Lee or Julien after their disappointing 2024 seasons. Willi was the subject of trade rumors, but he has value to the Twins because of his proven flexibility. 

[tony&rodney]

1 minute ago, stringer bell said:

Probably not time to trade Lee or Julien after their disappointing 2024 seasons. Willi was the subject of trade rumors, but he has value to the Twins because of his proven flexibility. 

Will they have more value after a year at AAA? 

I was suggesting that the time to trade Julien, Lee, and Miranda was in the past which I advocated each of the last two years. I might be the only guy who still thinks Austin Martin can play at the MLB level.

[Major League Ready]

Vasquez, Castro and Bader are locks for the bench spots.  So, if Lee goes north, who among Julien, Miranda, and Gasper rounds out the bench the best?   I don't think it's Julien because I don't trust him at 1B.  He has very poor hands and is new to the position.   Can anyone tell me if Gasper about gasper defensively at 1B?

[PatPfund]

If they are both hitting, I'm shipping out Eddie to play everyday and get his defense back to at least late-'23 form. (It was nice to see him look less butcher-ish yesterday.)

[DJL44]

15 minutes ago, tony&rodney said:

So if Eeles is at second base, where do Brooks Lee and Edouard Julien play? Keaschall? Oh, Austin Martin?

3B, 1B, OF, OF

[stringer bell]

3 minutes ago, tony&rodney said:

Will they have more value after a year at AAA? 

I was suggesting that the time to trade Julien, Lee, and Miranda was in the past which I advocated each of the last two years. I might be the only guy who still thinks Austin Martin can play at the MLB level.

I'd be super surprised if any of the last three cuts doesn't get a legit shot for the Twins at some point during the season. In 2023, Julien was up and down at least twice and the same for 2024. Whoever doesn't make the Opening Day roster will almost certainly get their shot.

BTW, I thought Martin should have been included in the competition too. He seemed to spend most of his minor league time on the dirt and second should be the best infield position for him.

[Maybe Next Year]

As long as Baldelli is the manager nobody, but nobody will thrive at second base as well as third, first and left and right field. Baldelli won’t play the same lineup more than two days in a row. All the analytic nonsense he believes in is the downfall of the young talent we have on this roster. Nobody plays the same position day in and day out. Therefore they don’t get enough defensive time nor enough at bats to be consistent. Baldelli is the problem. Take your platooning and stick it.

[DocBauer]

This discussion is CRAZY. Lee is the 2B "winner" based on defense and bat potential. MAYBE he goes to 3B and Lewis to 1B down the road to complete the best INF you could possibly put together with Keaschall at 2B...possibly even Eeles at 2B. But Julien is a BAT first player.

Just ONE YEAR AGO I  thought Julien was a part of the future of the Twins. And his bad 2024 isn't the reason I question his future.  All things right, this guy can HIT! But Keaschall can HIT. Rodriguez and Jenkins are coming up behind him to make OF and DH almost obsolete in regard to Julien.

That DOESNT MEAN he doesn't have potential as a MLB player. He CAN be a part of the 2025 Twins. And who knows what tomorrow brings in regard to his future. His CURRENT competition isn't Lee, it's Martin and Gasper. There's NO WAY Miranda isn't part of this team. 

[tony&rodney]

29 minutes ago, DocBauer said:

This discussion is CRAZY. Lee is the 2B "winner" based on defense and bat potential.

I think that statement might be crazy or naive. The Twins have not, to date, played players based on their defense and potential. That is just not the way Falvdelli rolls based on 2019-2024. The Twins want their position players to hit. All of Jeffers, Miranda, France, Lee, Castro, Julien, Martin, Gasper, Lewis, Larnach, and Wallner are average at best but it is fair to say they are  below average defensively. 

Brooks Lee has a good glove, hands, and arm. He is also slow, which means he actually doesn't get to balls as a second baseman that Castro or Martin grab and he doesn't move laterally as well as Julien either although he is smoother on fielding and much quicker on transfers along with being more accurate on his throws. Lee would be a good third baseman. While I'm fine with Brooks Lee starting at 2B, it is anyone's guess who actually starts the year and plays in April. FWIW, I don't think the Twins know yet.

[thelanges5]

#freemickey

[Wizard11]

Julien and Martin will get sent to STP to play everyday and to work on all aspects of their games.   Gasper will get the last spot to start the year.  Lee wins at 2nd, Miranda at DH.  That provides the full roster with 4 players who can handle 3B, (Lewis, Miranda, Castro, Lee) 3 at SS (Correa, Lee, Castro), 3 at 2B (Lee, Castro, Gasper), 3 at 1B (France, Miranda, Gasper). and 3 at C. (Jeffers, Vázquez, and Gasper)  It also provides a roster with 3 switch hitters.  The outfield has 5 available OFs with Castro included.  Solid and balanced roster to start the year and help is only a call away.  

[Bodie]

9 hours ago, Pykkman said:

Depth on the position side…and depth on the pitching side.   This front office is terrible 

Remember, no matter how deep your manure pit, it is never considered "depth".  You just have more shi...

You can take a wild guess as to where I stand in regards to Julien being "depth" at 2B.  Or any position requiring a glove!

[Doctor Gast]

11 hours ago, RpR said:

Lee could out in the field bare-handed and be a better fielder than Julien.

Lee has nothing to worry about.

So why does Julien keeps finding too much time at 2B?

[Fatbat]

Julien will find lots of time at 2B and Martin will find lots of time in CF…. Across the river in AAA. 
Bader and Gasper took their roles to start the season. 
Lee will be in MLB because he is the primary backup to the middle infield. Like Castro last year, he will play almost every day… somewhere and likely just part of the game. 
Rocco uses up his bench every game. So you have to figure that we have so much depth that we have 13 starters in MLB and 5 bench guys in st. Paul. 

[Doctor Gast]

Your title is misleading. Because Julien should be sent down to AAA so he can adjust his hitting & finally learn how to play 1B so he shouldn't be considered at 2B. But the Twins want him to be, so unfortunately he'll continue to play too much 2B. 

 Castro is needed all over the field, Lee is the 1st option at SS & 3B (still needs to prove he can hit at MLB). We need more stability at 2B & Julien is a terrible choice. Martin is hard pressed in the OF & he's not needed there, we have (RH) Buxton & Bader & (BH) Castro against occasional LHPs. IMO having Martin stable at 2B, which is his natural position, would do wonders for Martin & the Twins. To make it clear, Martin has pretty much even splits.

Since you mentioned Keirsey. I'll note he's our only true (LH) CFer that should be used to platoon against available RHP to sub Buxton.

[TwinsDr2021]

11 hours ago, tony&rodney said:

So if Eeles is at second base, where do Brooks Lee and Edouard Julien play? Keaschall? Oh, Austin Martin?

Probably not going to believe this but Eeles will be on the injury list in AAA after off season knee surgery. With this and not being on the 40 man yet, he will have to be pretty amazing to see time on the big club in MN.

[TwinsDr2021]

36 minutes ago, Doctor Gast said:

So why does Julien keeps finding too much time at 2B?

Seems pretty simple because if his bat gets back to .839 OPS he is playable at 2nd, even with his defense (maybe not late in the game)

[Doctor Gast]

27 minutes ago, TwinsDr2021 said:

Seems pretty simple because if his bat gets back to .839 OPS he is playable at 2nd, even with his defense (maybe not late in the game)

His bat shouldn't have anything to do with it if his glove doesn't play there. If Wallner gets squeezed out of RF I wouldn't want him play 2B because his high OPS. If he can get his OPS up to .839 that gives him the opportunity to play 1B at the MLB level, that I've advocated since his MiLB days. That why he needs to be sent to AAA to raise his level at both.