Brief Introduction of Louie Varland
Louis “Louie” Dennis Varland is an American professional baseball pitcher for the Toronto Blue Jays of Major League Baseball (MLB). Born and raised in St. Paul, Minnesota, Varland is known for his powerful fastball and dedicated work ethic. He made history as the first player from Concordia University, St. Paul, a Division II school, to reach the major leagues. Varland’s journey from a 15th-round draft pick in 2019 to a key player in the MLB is a testament to his perseverance and development as an athlete. His career has been marked by a significant increase in velocity and the continuous improvement of his secondary pitches. He is also part of a baseball family, with his older brother, Gus Varland, also pitching in the major leagues.
Louie Varland Overview
| Full Name | Louis Dennis Varland |
| Date of Birth | December 9, 1997 |
| Age | 28 years old |
| Birthplace | St. Paul, Minnesota, U.S. |
| Nationality | American |
| Profession | Professional Baseball Pitcher |
| Famous For | Being the first player from Concordia University, St. Paul to reach the MLB and for his powerful pitching. |
| Education | North High Senior School; Concordia University, St. Paul |
| Marital Status | Married |
| Spouse / Partner | Maddie Varland |
| Children | Not publicly available |
| Net Worth | Information not disclosed |
Early Life and Education of Louie Varland
Louis Dennis Varland was born on December 9, 1997, in St. Paul, Minnesota. He grew up in a family with a strong connection to baseball and hard work. Varland attended North High Senior School in North St. Paul, where he was a three-sport athlete, excelling in baseball, wrestling, and football. In all three sports, he earned All-Metro East Conference honors. On the wrestling mat, he was a two-time MSHSL State Tournament participant, a two-time team MVP, and a four-time captain. Despite his athletic versatility, his path to professional baseball was not straightforward. During high school, his fastball velocity was in the mid-80s, which did not attract attention from major Division I college programs. He received only one offer to play baseball above the Division III level, which came from Concordia University, St. Paul, a Division II school in his hometown. His older brother, Gus, also attended and played baseball at Concordia. At Concordia, Varland focused on his development as a pitcher. He played three seasons for the Golden Bears from 2017 to 2019, appearing in 26 games and making 15 starts. He also played summer league baseball for the Willmar Stingers of the Northwoods League in 2017 and 2018, gaining valuable experience against high-level competition.
Louie Varland Career
Early Career
The Minnesota Twins selected Louie Varland in the 15th round of the 2019 Major League Baseball draft, with the 449th overall pick. He began his professional career with the Elizabethton Twins in the Appalachian League. The 2020 minor league season was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which paused his on-field progression but did not halt his development. Varland used that time to work on his strength and conditioning, which would pay significant dividends. He returned in 2021 with a noticeable increase in velocity and had a breakout season, pitching for the Fort Myers Mighty Mussels and the Cedar Rapids Kernels. In 20 games between the two levels, he posted a 10-4 record with a 2.10 ERA and 142 strikeouts. This stellar performance earned him the Jim Rantz Award as the Twins’ Minor League Pitcher of the Year.
Breakthrough
Varland’s rapid ascent through the minor leagues continued in 2022. He started the season with the Double-A Wichita Wind Surge, where he continued to impress, posting a 3.34 ERA in 20 games. His success led to a promotion to the Triple-A St. Paul Saints in August. The major turning point in his career came on September 7, 2022, when the Minnesota Twins selected his contract, and he made his Major League Baseball debut. In a doubleheader against the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium, Varland became the first player in the history of Concordia University, St. Paul to reach the big leagues. In his debut, he pitched 5.1 innings, and his first career strikeout victim was superstar Aaron Judge.
Major Achievements and Success
Since his debut, Varland has established himself as a capable major league pitcher. On October 5, 2022, he earned his first career win against the Chicago White Sox, pitching 5.0 shutout innings. He was named the Twins’ Minor League Pitcher of the Year for a second consecutive season in 2022, a feat only previously accomplished by José Berríos. In 2023, he split time between the Triple-A St. Paul Saints and the Minnesota Twins, appearing in 17 games for the major league club. He also made his postseason debut in the American League Wild Card Series against the Toronto Blue Jays. In 2025, after being traded to the Toronto Blue Jays, Varland set a new MLB record for most appearances by a pitcher in a single postseason with 15.
Recent Work / Current Status
On July 31, 2025, the Minnesota Twins traded Varland and Ty France to the Toronto Blue Jays in exchange for Alan Roden and Kendry Rojas. He transitioned to a full-time relief role with the Blue Jays. His performance out of the bullpen has been impressive, with an increased fastball velocity and effective use of his secondary pitches. He is currently slated to begin the 2026 season in a setup role for the Blue Jays.
Louie Varland Awards and Achievements
- Jim Rantz Award (Twins Minor League Pitcher of the Year) – 2021, 2022
- MiLB.com Organizational All-Star – 2021
- NCBWA Preseason All-American Third Team
- ABCA Preseason All-American Team
- ABCA All-Central Region Second Team – 2018
- NCBWA All-Central Region Honorable Mention – 2018
- All-NSIC Second Team – 2018
Louie Varland Personal Life & Family
Louie Varland comes from a tight-knit, hardworking family in St. Paul, Minnesota. His parents are Wade and Kim Varland. During the offseason, Louie and his brother Gus often work for their father’s drywall business, a company started by their grandfather. This connection to his family’s trade reflects his grounded nature and strong work ethic. His older brother, Augustus “Gus” Varland, is also a professional baseball pitcher, making them one of the few sets of brothers currently active in Major League Baseball. The brothers share a close bond, having both played at Concordia University, St. Paul, and supported each other throughout their professional careers. In his personal time, Varland enjoys fishing during the offseason.
Louie Varland Relationship Details
Louie Varland is married to his wife, Maddie. The couple got married in the 2024 offseason. Maddie’s father played for the Montreal Canadiens of the National Hockey League. While further details about their relationship timeline are not widely publicized, they have been a supportive presence in each other’s lives.
Louie Varland Net Worth and Income
Louie Varland’s exact net worth is not publicly available. As a professional baseball player, his income is derived from his MLB salary and any potential endorsements. He was drafted in the 15th round in 2019 and signed with the Minnesota Twins for a bonus of $115,000. In 2024, he agreed to a one-year deal with the Minnesota Twins worth $745,400. His career earnings through the 2026 season are estimated to be around $1.45 million. His salary will likely increase as he progresses through the arbitration years of his MLB contract.
Louie Varland Physical Appearance
- Height: 6′ 1″ (185cm)
- Weight: 205 lbs (93kg)
- Eye Color: Not publicly available
- Hair Color: Not publicly available
Louie Varland Controversies
No major controversies have been reported involving Louie Varland.
Louie Varland Social Media Presence
- Instagram – Not publicly available
- Twitter – Not publicly available
- YouTube – Not publicly available
Interesting Facts about Louie Varland
- He is a multi-talented athlete who also excelled in wrestling and football in high school.
- His fastball velocity increased by nearly 15 miles per hour from his freshman year of college to his time in the major leagues.
- He and his brother Gus both played college baseball at Concordia University, St. Paul, and both became professional pitchers.
- During the offseason, he works for his family’s drywall business.
- In his MLB debut, his first strikeout was against Aaron Judge, who later hit his 55th home run of the season off him in the same game.
Louie Varland Legacy and Influence
Louie Varland’s legacy is still being written, but he has already made a significant impact as a local hero and an inspiration for athletes from smaller collegiate programs. As the first player from a Division II school like Concordia University, St. Paul to make it to the MLB, he has shattered a significant barrier and shown that talent and dedication can pave a path to the highest level of the sport, regardless of one’s starting point. His remarkable improvement and development as a pitcher are a testament to his work ethic and the quality of coaching he has received, serving as a model for aspiring players. Within his community, he is known for his humility and willingness to give back, often helping at a local baseball academy during the offseason. His story of a late-round draft pick who defied the odds to succeed in the major leagues will undoubtedly influence and inspire a new generation of baseball players from his home state of Minnesota and beyond.
Final Words about Louie Varland
Louie Varland’s journey from an overlooked high school prospect to a Major League Baseball pitcher is a compelling narrative of perseverance, hard work, and hometown pride. His career is a powerful reminder that potential can be cultivated and that a relentless drive for improvement can lead to extraordinary achievements. Representing his hometown of St. Paul and his alma mater, Concordia University, with distinction, Varland has not only realized his own dreams but has also become a role model for many. As he continues his career with the Toronto Blue Jays, his story of dedication and development will undoubtedly continue to unfold, adding new chapters to an already impressive biography.