Baseball TV France has had some fun predicting the best and worst for the 8 D1 teams. After sharing the views of the eight coaches, let’s project what might happen in 2024 and uncover why the championship will captivate us this year.
La Rochelle
The stat that stings: a collective 4.58 ERA in 2023, down from 2.81 in 2021.
This will be a good year if… the recruitment pays off, the offense produces, and the Buccaneers finally advance past the first round in the Challenge, reaching the championship semifinals and giving the Huskies a scare, forcing them to go the distance in a fifth game.
The year will be forgettable if… the defense makes too many errors, the JFL pitchers can’t hold up, and the Buccaneers struggle to avoid the 8th spot.
In our view: La Rochelle has gained experience, invested in their ambitions, and should be able to fight for a top-4 spot.
Metz
The stat that stings: a .194 batting average in 2023, after a .193 in 2022—the trend is grim.
This will be a good year if… thanks to integrating players familiar with the league, the Cometz can compete in non-JFL games and hold onto their spot in the elite.
The year will be forgettable if… the bottom of the lineup and JFL pitchers don’t make a difference, and the Cometz say goodbye to D1.
In our view: It will be tough for Metz to pull through, which is a shame, as the club’s project is interesting.
Montigny
The stat that stings: a .328 slugging percentage in 2023—the Cougars’ offense is outside the top 4 for power.
This will be a good year if… the 2023 momentum continues, and the Cougars make history by returning to the Challenge final, avenging their loss to Montpellier, becoming the first team since Rouen in 2015-2016 to win back-to-back titles. A championship semifinal berth and a European podium finish would complete the picture.
The year will be forgettable if… Yorfrank Lopez gets injured, leaving a void no one can fill, and Montigny ends up in the middle of the pack.
In our view: Stability in the roster should be a recipe for success, and the Cougars are capable of reaching a final, either in the championship or the Challenge.
Montpellier
The stat that stings: tough to find one after a flawless 2023 season. Okay, a 75.4% success rate on stolen bases—the Barracudas can do better.
This will be a good year if… Montpellier pulls off the triple crown. Nothing less should be the golden rule for Owen Ozanich’s men.
The year will be forgettable if… Canelon and Rodriguez start slowing down, Ben Couvreur falls victim to the sophomore jinx, the youngsters don’t break through, and the Barracudas have nothing to show but a lost championship semifinal.
In our view: Montpellier is the perfect candidate for its own succession. Despite slight doubts about the JFL pitching outside of Ben Couvreur, the Barracudas will be tough to beat, especially with confidence on their side.
Rouen
The stat that stings: a .254 batting average in 2023—the Huskies had us used to better.
This will be a good year if… Jean-Christophe Masson bombs opposing pitchers, the infield is solidified by two US recruits, the JFL pitching crushes the competition, and Rouen shows who’s boss, pulling off the double.
The year will be forgettable if… The Huskies trip over their new field and crack under pressure, losing in the Challenge semifinal and failing to regain their swagger with another championship semifinal loss.
In our view: It’s still tough to bet against the Huskies. 2023 seems to have been just a blip, and Rouen will reach at least the Challenge and championship finals, likely with a title in hand.
Savigny
The stat that stings: The Lions grounded into 22 double plays in 2023 (and 23 in 2021), topping the league in this category.
This will be a good year if… Savigny chases a title since 2006 and their last France Challenge victory. The Lions are fully capable of finding their way back to success in this competition, with a commando spirit that suits them perfectly.
The year will be forgettable if… Acuna’s stats suffer from his dual role as player/manager, the JFL pitching struggles a bit, and the Lions fail to crack the top 4 in the Challenge and championship.
In our view: Savigny will play spoiler, making life tough for the big favorites, but will lack depth to go all the way, reaching the semifinals in both the championship and the Challenge.
Sénart
The stat that stings: 0 home runs in 2023. Granted, Sénart’s field is large, but power was truly lacking.
This will be a good year if… the takeover of Montpellier’s youth pays off, and the return of Cochise students boosts the Templiers, who will chase their 2nd championship title, 10 years after the first, powered by an unstoppable Meurant–Nayral pitching duo.
The year will be forgettable if… the Japanese pipeline fails to deliver and the team’s youth shows in crucial moments. Sénart fails to advance past the first round of the Challenge and falls in the championship semifinal.
In our view: The Templiers are intriguing; they’re not short on talent but still seem to be in a rebuilding year. We can’t see them chasing the championship title, but the Challenge could smile on them.
Toulouse
The stat that stings: a .177 batting average in 2023, the lowest in the league.
This will be a good year if… the mix of veterans and youngsters keeps working, and the Toulousains play spoiler, reaching the championship semifinals once again.
The year will be forgettable if… last year’s trends (weak offense, fragile pitching) hold, and the Toulousains fight to the end to avoid 7th place.
In our view: A tough year for Toulouse, which won’t keep up with the best teams.
