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Jorge Polanco again battled durability issues in 2023, missing significant time due to ankle, knee, and hamstring injuries, but he did register a .789 OPS with 14 home runs across 80 games. Even though he was clutch at the plate and what some call “the glue” in the clubhouse, his creeping physical limitations and struggles to play defense showed. He only appeared in 58 games at second base, and another 15 at third, late in the campaign. He spent as much time as a DH and pinch-hitter as he did at the hot corner.
After coming up as a shortstop, Polanco had to move to second base in 2021, and even there, he quickly became a bit of a liability. While his bat was clutch at times, and his presence was a boost in the clubhouse, that doesn’t keep a player at the top of a good team's depth chart forever. This season, the Twins have a real chance to make it further into the postseason, and changes had to be made.
In his 2023 rookie season with the Twins, Edouard Julien played two positions, some in Polanco's absence and even upon his return. He played second base for 535 innings and first base for a paltry 17. In addition to making huge strides in terms of range and arm utility, he made only two errors between the two positions all season.
Defensive Glow-Up
Julien is no Mookie Betts. Still, his increasing effectiveness at second base far outweighed that of Polanco in the last few seasons, with Polanco missing time due to mounting injuries and ineffectiveness. Julien’s defense last season (and thus far this season) has been a massive factor in keeping other teams from running up the scoreboard. In the past two series against the Dodgers and the Tigers (in fact, since the disastrous game against the Royals on Easter), no team has gotten over 8 runs on the Twins' pitching and defense. In 102 innings of play this season alone, Julien himself has 14 putouts, 34 assists, four double plays, and just one error at second base, committed Monday night in Baltimore. Defensively, he is one of the best players on the Twins.
Julien's defensive skills alone make him a valuable asset to the team. His development has been greatly influenced by his interactions with players like Carlos Correa and Kyle Farmer, who have played a significant role in enhancing the effectiveness of the infield. Advanced defensive metrics love him.
Along with his defense, his plate appearances and ability to make pitchers run up their numbers and draw walks are equally dangerous. Matt Trueblood addressed his plate appearances in a short piece last week, saying his lack of aggression was worrisome. However, if we were to judge solely on plate appearances, the entire team would lack aggression. Julien, in fact, seems to have begun leading them out of that quagmire over the last handful of games.
Julien's Bat has a Breakthrough
The Twins' entire offense has looked like they were statues at Madame Tussaud's Wax Museum, or waiting for the bats to swing themselves, but something clicked, and game three against the Dodgers proved that it’s just “early” in the season. Center fielder Byron Buxton broke the 0-for-33 team-wide drought with runners in scoring position, and Julien broke out of his 12-strikeout slump and powered the team with two home runs to drive up the score and give the pitching a much-needed break. The dynamic lefty batter hasn’t slowed down since. He is even getting better hitting off lefty pitchers; if he can master that, he will be unstoppable.
In both the series against the Dodgers and the Tigers, Julien looked like his old self, waiting for the perfect pitch and driving it when it came. He made pitchers work, and helped the Twins secure two wins over the Tigers and the final game with the Dodgers. Julien locked in five hits, three home runs and four RBIs in that cluster of contests. His patience at the plate has truly shown to be back in balance over those two series. He is sixth in the American League for home runs.
With the Injuries to Correa, Max Kepler, and Royce Lewis, and with Buxton having a cool bat, even with his slow start, Julien is one of the best two-way players that the team has. Trading Polanco to secure his spot on the team was a good decision by the front office. It’s exciting to watch Julien reign again!
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