We first met Julian at Carpenter Complex shortly after he signed in June of 2016. He was selected in the 10th round of the 2016 draft out of Metropolitan State University of Denver.
Shortly thereafter he went to Williamsport and pitched in 12 games, returned there in 2017 and made 13 starts posting a 3.90 ERA in 60 IP. The following season he was very successful as a starter/extended inning reliever at Lakewood where in 28 games he recorded a 2.54 ERA in 78 IP ... the second half of the year was particularly strong when he joined the starting rotation making 8 starts ... a 2.17 ERA and a 5-2 record in 54 IP. The 2019 season saw him begin at Clearwater and finish at Reading ... overall a 3.78 ERA in 23 games - 22 starts ( 125.2 IP ).
Julian is a strike thrower, he rarely beats himself. His spin rate on both his fastball and secondary offerings earn high marks, the ball moves, has proven difficult to pick up for opposing hitters. Innings are usually limited in the modern era of the minor leagues for starting pitchers but Julian has pitched five or more innings in 33 of his 47 career starts, six innings or beyond in 19 of them. I think he’d be a guy in throwback years that would be able to go deeper into games. He has averaged in the upper 80’s in pitch count over the course of his starts, has only been to 100 pitches once in his pro career.
We wish Julian well in his first big league camp experience ... I’d think he’s in line to be part of the Reading rotation to start 2021 but could be higher in the ladder as well. It’s good to see him get a chance to show the big league staff what he’s capable of.
Happy Day, Happy Baseball ⚾️