The French Division 1 kicks off play on Saturday, April 1 and Sunday, April 2. The eight-team league features two new clubs this season (Montigny and St. Just) who replace Chartres and Toulouse. As is usually the case in France, Rouen, Montpellier and Senart seem to be preseason favorites to claim the 2017 title, with the Huskies aiming for their third straight crown and 13th in the last 14 seasons.

The Rouen Huskies have decided to bring back the large majority of their roster from last season. Venezuelan manager Keino Perez (5th season as head coach) has brought back his fellow countrymen Larry Infante (former Angels AAA infielder) and Jonathan Jaspe (former AA Blue Jays catcher) along with a third Venezuelan import, pitcher Jean Carlos Granados, who earned a victory over team USA in the 2009 World Baseball Classic. The core of the team will be led by Maxime Lefevre, Luc Piquet, Leo Cespedes, Yoann Vaugelade and Owen Ozanich, all longtime national team players. Rouen will try to become the first French club to become champion of Europe in June when they square off against Rotterdam, Bologna and Mainz in the Champions Cup in Regensburg.

Senart figure to have a strong side in 2017. Led by French pitcher Jonathan Mottay and American starter Dylan Barrow (former White Sox single A) the Parisian club could given Rouen some trouble if their lineup can provide enough run support. Gone are Fred Hanvi and Jacques Boucheron, two of Senart’s top hitters the past few seasons, along with Jimmy Jensen and Max MacNabb, two of the league’s top arms in 2016. The offense will be led by the ageless Ernesto Martinez, who figures to split time behind the plate and as DH, and French national team shortstop Felix Brown.

The Montpellier Barracudas have high hopes to claim their first crown in over a decade in 2017. The club on the southern coast of France have added outfielder Bastien Dagneau, who heads south after five strong seasons with Rouen. Joining him in the spacious Montpellier outfield will be fellow national team outfielder Jacques Boucheron. Fred Walter, one of France’s top prospects, will play third base, the three figure to form one of the best middle of the lineup’s in the league. Also joining the Barracudas are Jorge Hereaud and Alexander Perdomo, who come over from the relegated Toulouse Tigers. The pitching staff will be led by 23 year old Venezuelan Keivi Rojas, who pitched single A for the Phillies and for Caracas in the Venezuelan Winter League.

The promoted Montigny Cougars figure to be one of the surprise teams in 2017. French national team pitcher Max Monbeig will lead the pitching staff. Familiar names Warren Coopman, Dylan Mayeux and his sister Melissa Mayeux will fill out the top of the batting order. The Parisian club will be getting a new field turf surface and will co-host the 2017 Challenge de France (along with Rouen). This will be their first season back in the D1 since 2011.

The Savigny Lions will feature a very young squad this upcoming season. Axel Amoros is one of their top bats. Vincent Ferreira, who has been with the team for over a decade, figures to join Amoros in the middle of the lineup and do much of the catching. Luis De La Rosa will fill the role of super utility player again, and eat up some innings on the mound. Canadian brothers Nolan and Braydon McNabb will join Japanese outfielder Mamoru Shigita at the club’s foreigners.

Clermont-Ferrand will try to capitalize on their vibrant city and new turf field to attract quality foreigners to the club. Last season the club finished 5th/8 in their first season back in Division 1. Gone is lefty Peter Gehle, who joins Tecknika Brno this year. Brice Lorriene and Thomas Medina anchor the core group of French players whom the club will try to build around after a 11-17 finish last season.

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