Five things only true Toronto Blue Jays fans know about Louis Varland
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Five things only true Toronto Blue Jays fans know about Louis Varland
Toronto Blue Jays high-leverage reliever Louis Varland has quickly become one of the most fascinating players to wear the club's uniform.
From his unique background to his rapid rise, here are five things that make the hard-throwing right-hander stand out.
1. Baseball runs in the family, and so does an incredible story
Varland’s brother, Gus, is also a Major League reliever, currently pitching for the Washington Nationals. He’s put together a strong season, posting a 3.18 ERA with 13 strikeouts over 11.1 innings.
However, the Varland family story goes far beyond baseball.
In 2024, while Gus was with the Los Angeles Dodgers, their mother Kim was battling cancer.
During that time, Shohei Ohtani quietly covered the majority of her treatment costs without seeking recognition.
Later, during the World Series, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts shared that he had run into Varland’s mother, Kim, who told him she was cancer-free.
It’s the kind of story that transcends the game, and one that leaves a lasting impression.
That act of kindness and compassion from Ohtani to the Varland family instantly got my respect, even if he wasn't on a plane to Toronto.
Dave Roberts made Ohtani’s philanthrapic effort for his teammate public knowledge in a recent interview with Japanese television. And the story is pretty powerful.
2. A Minnesota wrestling star before baseball took over
Before fully committing to baseball, Varland was an accomplished wrestler in St. Paul, Minnesota.
He was a two-time Minnesota State Tournament qualifier, a four-time team captain, and earned multiple honors including MVP, Rookie of the Year, and Most Improved.
His athletic background didn’t stop there. Growing up, he often helped his father with drywall work, and he comes from a family of athletes, his aunts Denise and Sue were standout softball pitchers.
That mix of toughness and work ethic still shows up every time he takes the mound.
3. Built a life through the grind
Varland is married to his college sweetheart, Maddie Hentges DDS, whom he wed in 2024. Maddie, a former lacrosse player at Concordia, is now a practicing dentist in Baxter, Minnesota.
Her family also has strong ties to hockey, with her father having played in the Montreal Canadiens organization.
Their relationship was built during some demanding years—balancing Maddie’s dental school journey with Varland’s climb through the minor leagues.
Today, she remains a steady presence in his life and an active supporter of the Blue Jays community.
4. Loyal to his roots at Concordia St. Paul University
Varland starred at Concordia–St. Paul, a Division II program, where he posted a remarkable 1.41 ERA in 2018—one of the best seasons in school history and among the top in the nation.
Despite gaining attention and opportunities to transfer as his velocity improved, he chose to stay close to home.
That decision allowed him to continue pitching alongside his brother Gus and remain near his support system.
The two trained together year-round, even grinding through bullpen sessions during harsh Minnesota winters.
Gus was drafted in 2018, and Louis followed a year later, selected by the Minnesota Twins in the 15th round.
5. Reinvented himself during COVID pandemic and took off
After being drafted in 2019, Varland’s development was briefly stalled by the 2020 minor league shutdown.
But he used that time wisely, overhauling his mechanics and refining his arm path with guidance from Twins staff.
The results were dramatic. His velocity jumped from the mid-80s to touching triple digits by 2021, marking a turning point in his career.
That same year, he was named the Twins’ Minor League Pitcher of the Year.
He made his MLB debut in September 2022 at Yankee Stadium, striking out Giancarlo Stanton and Josh Donaldson, an early glimpse of his potential.
In a major move on July 31, 2025, the Blue Jays acquired Varland and Ty France from Minnesota in exchange for Alan Roden and pitching prospect Kendry Rojas.
The deal drew strong backlash from Twins fans, as Varland was seen as a controllable, homegrown cornerstone. Toronto, however, capitalized on the move.
During the Blue Jays’ World Series run, Varland set an MLB record with 15 postseason appearances, cementing his role as a trusted bullpen weapon.
Now, with roles shifting alongside Jeff Hoffman, Varland has emerged as a primary high-leverage option in a closer-by-committee system, one that could define the Jays’ bullpen moving forward as they push to get back to .500.
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