Edouard Julien looked set to become a MLB regular and possibly a star entering last season, but took a big step backward and his ability to keep a regular MLB job is in question. Julien displayed a mix of exceptional plate discipline and power in 2023 with a .381 OBP and .195 ISO. He began 2024 right where he left off with seven home runs and an .820 OPS in the first month. He struggled in May with a .190 batting average and just a .466 OPS and was soon sent to the minors. When he returned to the majors, he wasn't much better the final two months by hitting one home run with a .509 OPS. Strikeouts were Julien's major issue with a 33.9% K%, up from 31.4% in 2023. His Chase Rate increased to 22.6% from 17.3% in 2023. When he did connect, he didn't have as much power as both his hard-hit rate and barrel rate declined. He still has a strong walk rate (11%) and isn't afraid to work deep into the count. His fielding continues to be an issue where he rated as well below average at second base (-6 Defensive Runs Saved), which could limit his opportunities to 1B and DH. He also had just a .583 OPS against left-handed pitching, which means he's likely limited to a platoon. Still, he displayed a rare combination of extreme place discipline and surprising power in 2023, so he could bounce back. However, he's likely going to need to win a role at first base or DH this spring.
