Spring Training Audio Diary: Edouard Julien Optioned

Too bad about Julien. That kid can rake! Prove it in AAA and we'll see you with the Big Club soon enough!

• Why did Kenta Maeda pitch live batting practice yesterday instead of facing the Yankees in Fort Myers?

Maybe because Rocco doesn't want Maeda to reveal his stuff too soon and let the cat our of the bag about what will be coming down the pipeline when they play. Or  maybe Maeda had a better, longer & more productive work out in batting practice. Or could it be both? 

1 hour ago, nicksaviking said:

He better be getting reps in the corner outfield and 1B as soon as he steps back on the diamond

He's not going to be playing corner OF.  2B, 1B and DH are pretty much his options.

18 minutes ago, FlyingFinn said:

He's not going to be playing corner OF.  2B, 1B and DH are pretty much his options.

Agreed, for the most part. And I'm OK with him in those 3 spots. But he's athletic enough I'd like to think he could continue to play some LF at St Paul to see if he can at least be average there. Maybe he just lacks the tracking skills to be out there. I know the arm is average. But if COULD be OK out there once in a while, it sure increases his flexibility lineup/roster wise.

I wonder if he would have been sent down this early if he wasn't in the Classic? No matter how he does there, the Twins aren't able to see him and work with him daily the way they might were he in camp. 

Or was this inevitable at this point anyway as there are more than enough players already working through games that need the reps and he'd be sent to milb camp anyway.

A couple of years back a kid named Luis Arraez pushed his way into the lineup. Julien will need to follow the same blueprint. He is not a stud defender but if he hits like he did the last two years and has done for Team Canada, it won''t be long before his name is on a Twins lineup card.

A nice showing by Headrick, Enlow got knocked around a bit but still managed to record two saves.  It is nice to see their potential on display.  

Jeez, I had given up on Dobnak the last half of 2020.  Yeah, I knew he had the long contract, but it all looked like good money chasing bad goods to me.  If he can make a comeback anything to close to what he has shown this spring, we really are in a good spot with our pitching, healthy or not.  The guy signed for $500 based on a showing with the Utica Unicorns and youtube videos, and then rose in a couple of years to the big league club.  Guess I have learned to never again easily give up on a guy who has a track record of fighting against all odds to succeed.

This really is a fun time of year, I am glad that we are finally back to having a normal spring training again.

1 hour ago, Althebum82 said:

Enlow got knocked around a bit

Enlow has been one of the most disappointing players in camp for me, along with Pagan and Megill. These are guys who shouldn't be working on stuff. They should be pitching their best to make the team, or in Enlow's case, to show that he is fully back from surgery.

Too bad for Julien, but with a full roster and him in the WBC, I guess it makes sense. Hopefully they managed it right and let him know it would happen in advance, since it seems cold to option while he's out. 

Totally not a surprise. I mean, who's spot was he going to take.

Julian could possibly play firstbase if Kiilloff is not ready.. At 6'2" and 200 lbs, I think he is big enough. But if Kirilloff is not ready it looks like Gallo will get firstbase and Larnach left field. But if not, I'd prefer him getting fulltime play at Triple A over sitting the bench in the majors.

They need to find a position for Julien that he can play at a passable level, That might be 1B or maybe he hits well enough to DH. In the long run he helps so much more if he can play a passable 2B. We will see if they continue the 2B plan at St. Paul or if they move him to 1B.

John, I have thoroughly enjoyed your audio posts this spring training. I hope you will continue some audio posts during the Twins 2023 Championship Season.  Thank you.

Julien had quite a series in the WBC.

On 3/14/2023 at 7:11 PM, Althebum82 said:

A nice showing by Headrick, Enlow got knocked around a bit but still managed to record two saves.  It is nice to see their potential on display.  

Jeez, I had given up on Dobnak the last half of 2020.  Yeah, I knew he had the long contract, but it all looked like good money chasing bad goods to me.  If he can make a comeback anything to close to what he has shown this spring, we really are in a good spot with our pitching, healthy or not.  The guy signed for $500 based on a showing with the Utica Unicorns and youtube videos, and then rose in a couple of years to the big league club.  Guess I have learned to never again easily give up on a guy who has a track record of fighting against all odds to succeed.

This really is a fun time of year, I am glad that we are finally back to having a normal spring training again.

I think Donnak is the guy who is kind of a longman type of relief pitcher.  I just think he can come in and throw a lot of pitches and eat quite a few innings in games that the Twins are getting blown out in.  He could be a bullpen savior during those blowout type games where you want to keep your other relievers rested and healthy.  I don't really think being a starting pitcher is in his cards going forward.  I also don't think he's some relief pitcher that can come in and shut someone down for an inning.  I really think he's the guy that comes in during the 3rd of an 8 to 1 ballgame and throws 5 or 6 innings to finish the game out.  

On 3/15/2023 at 5:53 PM, tony&rodney said:

Julien had quite a series in the WBC.

I thoroughly enjoyed watching him at Chase Field X 3 games for Canada. Bud is from Canada and he tired of hearing my "he's a Twin, eh?" every time Julien put solid ash on the ball.