Louis Varland’s Unlikely Journey to Baseball’s All-Star Game

Reported from Philadelphia, where players gathered for the All-Star festivities.

Who is Louis Varland?

Louis Varland is a 28‑year‑old baseball player who throws the ball for a living. He finished high school at North St. Paul and then went to college at Concordia St. Paul.

Think of baseball like a game where one team tries to hit a ball and run, and the other team tries to stop them by throwing the ball. Louis is on the throwing team — he’s a pitcher (the person who throws the ball to the batter).

• He was picked by the Minnesota Twins (a team) in the 15th round of the 2019 player draft (like a school picking kids for a team).
• He played for the Twins for three years, moving between being a starter (throws the first part of the game) and a relief pitcher (comes in later).
• His record with the Twins: 8 wins, 14 losses, and a 4.62 ERA (that’s a number that shows how many runs the other team scores off him on average — lower is better).
• Even then, people could see he had a super strong arm.

Important: A “save” is when a pitcher comes in near the end of the game to protect a small lead and finishes the game without losing. Louis had never done this before last year!

The Surprising Trade and Amazing Year

Last July (in 2025), Louis was suddenly sent from the Twins to the Toronto Blue Jays (a team in Canada). This is called a trade — like swapping a toy with a friend.

A year ago, back when his old teammate Jhoan Duran was the awesome “lights‑out” closer (the finisher) for the Twins, Louis couldn’t imagine he’d be sitting at a small table in Philadelphia telling the unlikely story of how he became an All‑Star. Especially since he’d never saved a single game at that point.

• After the trade, Toronto went all the way to the World Series (the big final championship).
• This year (2026), Louis is playing amazingly for Toronto, the reigning American League champions (the best team in their half of the league).
• His numbers:
  • 19 saves (he has finished 19 games successfully!)
  • 1.10 ERA (super tiny — means almost no runs scored against him)

He says:

“Everybody’s baseball career is kind of crazy. The baseball world is getting smaller and smaller, and everything happens for a reason. To get traded over and then we go to the World Series, it was a crazy three months last year. Then leading to this year has been a lot of fun.”

How Louis Got Here: A Simple Timeline

1. Grew up in North St. Paul, graduated high school, then attended Concordia St. Paul.
2. Drafted by the Twins in the 15th round of the 2019 draft.
3. Pitched for the Twins for three years (8–14 record, 4.62 ERA) moving between starting and relieving.
4. Traded to the Toronto Blue Jays in July 2025.
5. Helped Toronto reach the World Series in the final months of 2025.
6. In 2026, became the Jays’ closer with 19 saves and a 1.10 ERA.
7. Selected as an All‑Star for the first time.

What His Friends and Coaches Say

Jhoan Duran (now with the Philadelphia Phillies, has 24 saves this season) said:

“When we were in Minnesota, I told him he needed to be in the bullpen because he throws really hard. I told him ‘I know you’re going to do it.’”

(The bullpen is where relief pitchers warm up and play.)

Byron Buxton (still with the Twins) saw nine teammates get traded last year. He said:

“We know it’s a business. But for me to see both those guys make the All‑Star Game brings nothing but happiness. I told them to enjoy this.”

Buxton was in Philadelphia on Monday after being voted in as a starter for the first time, but won’t play because of a right hip injury.

What to Expect at the All‑Star Game

The All‑Star Game is like a special match where the best players from different teams play together. Louis is in it for the first time!

• He doesn’t know exactly what will happen but will follow Buxton’s advice to enjoy it.
• He predicts he will pitch before the ninth inning (the last part of the game). He insists veteran Aroldis Chapman will be the one to close (finish) the game.
• He says:
  

  “I’ll probably relate it to pitching in the seventh game of the World Series. I’ll probably be throwing a lot harder but not have as much control as I usually do from all the nerves and the hype. But I can’t wait. It’s going to be a lot of fun.”

Louis’s personal cheering squad on Tuesday (game day) includes five people:

1. His wife, Maddie
2. His parents (mother and father)
3. His agent (the person who handles his business)
4. His old coach, Martin Wehrle (the “one other” he mentioned)

The Coach Who Changed Everything

Louis gave credit to Martin Wehrle, a former Twins minor‑league coach (someone who taught younger players). Louis said:

“I asked an old coach of mine, Martin Wehrle. He taught me how be efficient — throw harder, but more efficiently. Basically that leads to more strikes and better stuff. I give him a lot of credit for turning my career around. I started pitching better. Becoming a better pitcher and not a thrower. I caught some breaks and things have been working out.”

In simple words: Coach Martin taught him to use his strong arm without wasting effort, making the ball go where he wants more often.

Louis admitted again:

“Looking back now, it’s been a crazy 12 months that’s for sure. If you’d told me this would happen 12 months ago I would’ve said you’re crazy. But here we are.”

Pictures from the Story

Alejandro Kirk #30 and Louis Varland #77 of the Toronto Blue Jays celebrate on the field after defeating the San Diego Padres at Petco Park on July 10, 2026 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Orlando Ramirez/Getty Images)

Louis Varland #77 of the Toronto Blue Jays reacts after the final out in the ninth inning against the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field on June 20, 2026 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Sage Zipeto/Getty Images)

Summary

To wrap up:

• Louis Varland, a pitcher from Minnesota, was traded from the Twins to the Blue Jays in July 2025.
• He had never saved a game before, but now has 19 saves and a tiny 1.10 ERA for Toronto, the reigning American League champs.
• His old teammate Jhoan Duran (now a Phillie with 24 saves) and his friend Byron Buxton (hurt but happy) are also All‑Stars.
• Louis will pitch early in the All‑Star Game, not the final inning, and will enjoy the moment with his wife, parents, agent, and coach Martin Wehrle.
• A former coach taught him to pitch efficiently, changing his career.
• One year ago, Louis couldn’t imagine this — but now he’s living the dream.

FAQ

1. What is a “save” in baseball?
A save is like being the guard at the end of a close race. If your team is ahead by a small amount, and you come in to pitch and finish the game without letting the other team tie or win, you get a save.

2. What does ERA mean?
ERA stands for “Earned Run Average.” It tells you how many runs the other team scores off a pitcher in a full game of 9 innings. A lower number is better — Louis’s 1.10 is super great!

3. What is the All‑Star Game?
It’s a special once‑a‑year event where the best players from different teams join together to play a fun exhibition game. Fans and players vote for who gets in.

4. Why was Louis’s story called “unlikely”?
Because just a year before, he had never finished a game as a closer, was traded unexpectedly, and didn’t think he’d become an All‑Star. Now he’s one of the best relief pitchers.

5. What is a trade in baseball?
A trade is when two teams swap players, like exchanging cards. Louis was sent to Toronto so the Twins got something else in return (that part wasn’t shared, but that’s the general idea).