The state of play after three rounds
With a thrilling start to the season, with standings that already give importance to every match, with a level of play that improves every week, we almost regret that the championship stops for fifteen days. This is the opportunity to take stock of the state of play for each team.
Béziers
The rundown: With a 1-5 record, the learning curve might seem steep, but the Pirates have been present in every match and aren’t far from stringing together wins.
The leader: Daniel Pilar is hitting at the same pace as in Division 2, which is quite impressive: .462 with 6 RBI, making us forget he doesn’t have an extra-base hit. His strikeout stat is just as solid: 0.
What’s working well: The foreign rookies, Meza and Torres, are delivering at the plate, and Gonzalez (23 K in 16.2 IP) and Lira are keeping their team in the game. Lucas Keurinck is off to a strong start. The defense is also holding up well.
What needs to improve: As expected, the JFL pitching is still a bit shaky, with a 7.26 ERA and 11 BB for 12 K. The offense lacks a bit of depth.
La Rochelle
The rundown: Everything is going well for the league leaders, who have shown some beautiful things in all aspects of the game, and a mindset that can move mountains.
The leader: Kian Johnston is calling the shots, with a .417 average, 2 doubles, 2 HR, 11 RBIs. His aggression at the plate (only 2.46 pitches per at-bat) is paying off and setting the tone for the La Rochelle offense.
What’s working well: Coach Ossandon is pushing the right buttons when it comes to calling on the bullpen: 2.10 ERA, a K/BB ratio of 4.29. It’s tough to overturn La Rochelle when the team is leading at the end of the game. The new arrivals have lifted the team, with Pena and Laufenbuchler stepping up their game.
What needs to improve: We expect better from M. Esteban (.158, one stolen base), E. Briones (.190, 3 RBI), and M. Pierre (.167, but a home run and 5 RBI). When these three get going, the Boucaniers could legitimately count themselves among the top favorites.
Metz
The rundown: Two losses by one point, one by two points, the Cometz, with a bit more luck, or realism, could have hopped on the right train.
The leader: Alexis Paredes is holding the Metz bullpen together, whether in relief or as a starter. He still has his Achilles’ heel, hit-by-pitches, but his 1.93 ERA gives his team every chance to win in each of his appearances.
What’s working well: The young Messin players have progressed since last season, like Cailteux (.263) and S. Hansch (.286), who bring depth to the lineup. You can always count on Roze for big hits, and Matéo remains a dangerous hitter.
What needs to improve: We’re naturally demanding with the best, so Ruiz needs to give more than his .250 (only one extra-base hit). The defense is too fragile, already three games with 4 errors. The JFL pitching lacks depth, and Launay, hampered by an injury, hasn’t found his touch from the end of last season.
Savigny
The rundown: Is the curse of the vice-champion catching up with the Lions, after Montigny, the 2023 finalist and relegated in 2024? We’re not there yet, but Savigny is clearly searching for its level of play after 6 matches.
The leader: In an offense that’s slow to regain its energy, Axel Amoros is delivering with 6 doubles and 12 hits in 24 at-bats.
What’s working well: The young Venezuelan international catcher Nunez shows real qualities at the plate and holds his own behind the plate. Nathan Chevet, called three times in long relief, has held firm in difficult situations.
What needs to improve: The defense must absolutely tighten up (16 errors already), as seen in the last inning of game 2 against La Rochelle that cost the win. It’s hard to expect more from a player who already has 2 home runs, but Acuna’s .238 is well below his usual standards. Last season, Orozco had an average of 7.8 hits and 1.6 BB per 9 innings. He’s at 15 and 5.
Montpellier
The rundown: It’s serious and solid in Montpellier. There aren’t many weaknesses offensively, the pitching holds up. The Barracudas will be a force to reckon with.
The leader: The leader is the leadoff. Paolo Brossier sets the tone for a top of the lineup that drives the team to victory. .450 average, an excellent OBP of .607 (one day we’ll study why Barracudas hitters are so often hit by pitches), and, on top of that, he lends a hand to the bullpen when needed.
What’s working: We didn’t follow Vera’s performances closely enough when he played for a struggling PUC, but with a top-tier team, he shows the full extent of his talent. Fabian Kovacs is always as productive (.409), and the danger can come from anywhere. Even Owen Ozanich has hit a big fly and stolen a base, it’s that kind of team. So, when everyone is back, thinking of Bouniol, Monks, and Zan, but also potential foreign reinforcements, Montpellier won’t be easy to play.
What needs to improve: The 8 errors from the first day leave a bitter taste, even if it’s better since. They lack a French starter capable of holding for 4 or 5 innings.
Rouen
The rundown: The Huskies were 3-3 after 6 matches last season. They’re 4-2 this year, having let a game slip away due to lack of opportunity against Sénart and having faced a catastrophic inning against La Rochelle. They’re ahead of schedule. It’s not necessarily reassuring for the competition.
The leader: Louis Brainville has hit with authority, the first home run for the Huskies this season, he’s a wall at third base, he hasn’t been struck out yet in 3 at-bats and has stolen 3 bases. The kind of complete player who elevates his entire team.
What’s working: The Rouen defense impresses with its application, and it’s a crucial sector in high-level matches. The strength of the Rouen lineup still lies in the ability of one or two players to take charge, it could be Bert in the first 4 matches, Vissac in the last 4, it’s complete from 1 to 9. With 18 extra-base hits, the Rouen offense is showing its muscles. Scott Bellina is the ace the Huskies were waiting for, 0 runs allowed in three outings.
What needs to improve: The very young duo of pitchers Manaranche – Magnier found themselves in the spotlight very quickly. There was good, but also tough moments, and Rouen, who always made a difference with their French pitchers, finds themselves a bit short of solutions. The Huskies were on a streak of 22 consecutive matches with at least one stolen base. 0 against La Rochelle last Sunday. New trend or a blip?
Sénart
The rundown: The Templiers have left behind the 2024 season and are showing a much more conquering spirit, with successful recruitment
The leader: Dylan Mayeux set the tone for the season with a fiery first weekend against Savigny. He continues at an interesting pace, .348, 5 RBI. He has hit safely in his team’s 4 victories. That’s what you call setting an example.
What’s working well: Yorfrank Lopez, obviously, who stabilizes the Sénart mound, all the more so that with his young compatriot Martinez, who made a strong impression in his first two outings, he can either start or finish the game. A double-edged sword. Do Carmo is solid, and the young Camara shows great promise. The two extra-inning victories demonstrate fine moral qualities.
What needs to improve: Two very complicated last starts by E. Brelle (11 earned runs in 8 innings) have exposed the Templiers’ weakness in relief. The roster is still very young, the ship can sink quickly. But experience will be gained throughout the season.
Toulouse
The rundown: Toulouse has perfectly negotiated a schedule that seemed relatively favorable, and starts the season with a bang like last year. It’s ideal to throw a very talented, but still very young team into the deep end.
The leader: Sergio Mendoza sets the tone and shows the example to his young teammates. The years have no hold on him, with a .348 average, 6 RBI, 4 doubles, and a home run.
What’s working: The youth… Last season, the Stade’s teenage outfield made many eyes widen. Toulouse is doing it again this year, this time in the infield, and with even younger players. The next few years promise to be exciting. On the older side, Ariel Soriano still represents a danger at the plate, as evidenced by his 6 for 10 last Sunday. With 5 RBI, his brother Yudi is up to the task. Nathan Laot has had two very good starts against Metz and Sénart.
What needs to improve: The youth… It’s inevitably a bit difficult to make the jump to D1, and the young core of the Stade is struggling at the plate: 5 for 33 for Feliu and Perez. Should we be worried about Rojas’ health, who left the game in the 3rd inning last weekend? Is Garcia-Delgado’s completely missed 10th inning just a bad day? The answer to these two questions will depend a lot on the future of the Stade.
F.C.
Photo Credit: Cluvb, Volpato, Davesne
