Using advanced stats and match impact, Baseball TV France has named its mid-season All-Star team. Like any selection, we find it perfect, but others may find it debatable… So, don’t hesitate to share your choices…
Catcher: I. Acuna (Savigny). This is undoubtedly the strongest position in the championship. But despite tough competition, it’s impossible not to pick the heart and soul of the Savigny Lions, Ivan Acuna. He has the best OPS (1278), has hit safely in every game he’s played, and is on an extraordinary streak of 8 consecutive games with 2 hits. Acuna isn’t just a power hitter; he has very solid stats behind the plate, especially in pickoff attempts. Age hasn’t slowed him down, and he’s the undisputed leader of the championship leader.
On the podium. Right behind Acuna is the Montpelier Mendez, very impressive (especially that 1.8% strikeout rate) but regularly beaten by Acuna in the stats. Do Carmo (Sénart), who is perhaps having his best season ever, takes a very respectable third place.
1st Base: G. Velazco (Toulouse). After a lackluster 2025, he’s revealed himself as one of the most consistent and dangerous hitters in the championship. His 1.20 win probability added (first in his category) proves he’s very useful in clutch moments, like his .389 with runners in scoring position. Within a Toulouse offense that lacks a bit of depth, he plays an essential role.
On the podium. Rosell (LaR) is having a very solid season at the plate, sometimes even surpassing Velazco in certain categories, earning him a logical second place. The young Rouennais Oscar Lebouc could have had a better fate without a recent slump (0 in 15), but his 16 RBI, as well as his 0 errors in defense, earn him a spot on the podium.
2nd Base: P. Farina (Montpellier). He started the season at full speed, and even if he’s slowed down a bit since, he remains a very dangerous hitter (964 OPS, .438 with runners in scoring position), and has only committed 4 errors in defense.
On the podium: L. Amoros (Sav) finds himself in second place, his 6 errors and low defensive coefficient weighing too heavily in the balance, as well as the fact that he hit his HR while playing first base. The defensive metronome of the Huskies, Harrison, takes the bronze medal, also thanks to an excellent WPA.
Shortstop: A. Meza (Béziers). A position a bit less solid than in recent seasons, perhaps (and that’s great) because young French players are making their first steps. Meza is in any case the undisputed number 1, he reaches 1000 OPS, is practically never struck out (2.9%) and shows some defensive efficiency.
On the podium. A. Soriano (Tou) is a constant threat at the plate, he still has 13 RBI, but his 7 errors in defense prevent him from aiming higher. A bit more discreet, and absent for 4 games, Mendez (Sen) does a serious job.
3rd Base: L. Gonzalez (PUC). He certainly shares his time with the catcher position, but he deserves to be distinguished for his work at third base, with the best offensive stats of the position, a defensive solidity that is never lacking, and the role of spark plug.
On the podium: Bouniol (Mtp) has only committed 2 errors at this position and signs one of the best statistical lines of the position. Brainville (Rou) is the 3rd most occupied, which also explains his 7 errors. He has slowed down offensively in recent games, but saves his 3rd place.
Left Field: I. Bamberger (Toulouse). It’s a position a bit neglected year after year. Sometimes you get the feeling that coaches put players there who they don’t know what to do with. Proof of this, 51 players have played left field since the start of the season. The Toulousain stands out with his 8 extra-bases and 9 RBI.
On the podium. Less effective than last season, Guiraud (Mpt) remains a sure value at the position. An encouraging third place for Gerberon (Rou), who seems however to be heading towards the starting center field position.
Center Field: P. Brossier (Montpellier). No hesitation for the one who is probably the best player in the championship. He dominates in all aspects of the game, as evidenced by his 123 WRC+. Cherry on top, he has committed no errors.
On the podium: Despite a long injury, we cannot overlook C. Esteban (LaR), who had a very good start to the season with a .355 average. More discreet than the big hitters of the Lions, Dahan (Sav) is in the high average.
Right Field: J. Pena (La Rochelle). He is the best run producer in the championship, which is no small feat, and he also has a good defensive presence. He sometimes alternates with the catcher position, but he is primarily in right field for now and deserves the 1st place in his category.
On the podium: Zan (Mpt) remains a sure value, effective and dangerous. Limouzin (Béz) is one of the good surprises of the season.
Designated Hitter: A. Amoros (Sav). He’s been a specialist in this particular art for several seasons, and he confirms with his .313 and 14 RBI that he perfectly fulfills this role.
On the podium: Briones (LaR) is the other specialist, his .359 average proving it. Lopez (Sen), used in several ways, turns out to be an excellent DH.
Starting Pitcher: R. Krzykawiak (La Rochelle). The departure of T. Mercadier, who dominated for three days, opened the door. And it’s the young Rochelle who distinguished himself from the pack. He has only twice reached the 6-inning mark, but he has nothing to reproach himself for, still undefeated, 5th best WHIP, 7th in Left On Base percentage. We will follow his evolution in the final sprint with interest.
On the podium: Used in relief or as a starter, Chevet (Sav) has an excellent 25.4% strikeout rate and has performed well under pressure. E. Brelle (Sen), with his 4 quality starts, is one of the most consistent pitchers.
Non-JFL Pitcher: A. Pena (Savigny). Big dominance of the Lions’ ace, with a 1.29 ERA, a big 33.3% strikeouts, and some big performances like his two 12K (against Rouen and Sénart) and his 84 game-score (against Sénart, 2nd performance of the season behind Mercadier’s 86).
On the podium: The Japanese Taido (Rou) is a metronome, only 2% walks. Sometimes shaken, less solid than last season, Vera (Sen) is nevertheless a sure value.
Reliever: K. Rojas (Toulouse). Not much difference with his second, but the Toulousain, with his 43 K in 24.1 IP and 10 outings in sometimes difficult conditions, is for the moment the best man of confidence for the end of games.
On the podium: Nieves (LaR) would have made a perfectly adequate leader, but he has been used a bit less than Rojas. Orozco, on the other hand, is very used, but has given up a bit too many points to deserve better.
F. Colombier
