Baseball remains a little-known sport in France, far behind football or rugby in terms of popularity. However, a few French players — or those born in France — have taken the leap to play in the professional baseball leagues in the United States, whether in Major League Baseball (MLB) or the affiliated minor leagues. They are few, but their careers reflect true talent and a strong passion for the game.
Whether born on French soil or trained in French baseball academies, these players have helped put French baseball on the international map. Here’s an overview of the French-born or trained players who have made history in American professional baseball.
French-born players in Major League Baseball (MLB)
| Name | Born in France | Position | MLB Teams | Years Active | Notable Facts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bruce Bochy | Yes (Bussac-Forêt) | Catcher | Houston Astros, San Diego Padres | 1978–1987 | Famous manager, 4 World Series titles |
| Steve Jeltz | Yes (Paris) | Shortstop | Philadelphia Phillies, Kansas City Royals | 1983–1990 | First French-born to hit MLB home run |
French or French-trained players in Minor League Baseball (MiLB)
| Name | Born in France | Position | MLB Organization | Highest Level | Period | Notable Facts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Joris Bert | Yes | Center field | Los Angeles Dodgers | Rookie | 2007–2009 | First French player drafted (2007) |
| Frédéric Hanvi | Yes | Outfielder | Minnesota Twins | Rookie | 2008–2010 | Also played in Australian league |
| Andy Paz | Yes | Catcher | Oakland Athletics | Double-A | 2011–2018 | Longest MiLB career for a French player |
| Alexandre Roy | Yes | Pitcher | Seattle Mariners | Rookie | 2012–2013 | |
| Yoan Antonac | Yes | Pitcher | Philadelphia Phillies | Rookie | 2018–2021 | Trained in Montpellier |
| Ernesto Martinez Jr. | No (Cuba, raised in France) | First baseman | Milwaukee Brewers | Triple-A | 2017–2025 | Represents France, top power hitter |
| Mathias LaCombe | Yes | Pitcher | Chicago White Sox | Rookie | 2023–present | Drafted in 2023, 96 mph fastball |
Bruce Bochy
Born in Bussac-Forêt, France, Bruce Bochy is the most prestigious example of a French-born player to appear in MLB. Though he is American and was raised in Germany and the U.S., his birthplace earns him a spot on this list. He played as a catcher for nine seasons, with the Houston Astros and San Diego Padres between 1978 and 1987.
Bochy is best known for his managerial career. He led the San Francisco Giants to three World Series titles (2010, 2012, 2014) and won a fourth with the Texas Rangers in 2023. He is regarded as one of the greatest managers in baseball history.
Steve Jeltz
Steve Jeltz was born in Paris in 1957 to an American military family stationed in France. He grew up in the United States and pursued a professional career in MLB. As a shortstop, he played for the Philadelphia Phillies and later the Kansas City Royals from 1983 to 1990.
He is remembered for hitting two home runs in a single game in 1989, despite having hit only one prior in his career. Jeltz is the first French-born player to hit a home run in MLB, a feat no French-trained player has matched yet.
Joris Bert
Joris Bert made history as the first French player drafted by an MLB franchise. Selected by the Los Angeles Dodgers in the 19th round of the 2007 draft, he was trained at the Pôle France Baseball in Rouen. He played in the Gulf Coast League at the Rookie level between 2007 and 2009.
Though he did not advance beyond Rookie ball, his signing marked a symbolic milestone for French baseball. He later returned to France, representing the national team and contributing to the sport’s development in his home country.
Frédéric Hanvi
Born in Montfermeil in 1989, Frédéric Hanvi was signed by the Minnesota Twins in 2007. He played in the Gulf Coast League until 2010 as an outfielder. Hanvi later joined the Melbourne Aces in the Australian Baseball League and regularly represented the French national team.
He remains a prominent figure in French baseball and has inspired younger generations to pursue professional careers abroad.
Andy Paz
Andy Paz, born in 1993 and trained in Toulouse, had one of the longest careers of any French player in the U.S. minor leagues. Signed by the Oakland Athletics, he played from 2011 to 2018, reaching as high as Double-A.
A skilled catcher, Paz also competed internationally with Team France. His progression and consistency make him a role model for aspiring French players.
Alexandre Roy
A pitcher from Rouen, Alexandre Roy signed with the Seattle Mariners in 2012 and played at the Rookie level until 2013. Though his time in the U.S. was brief, he is among the few French players to have joined an MLB organization.
He returned to France and continued his career with the Rouen Huskies and the national team.
Yoan Antonac
Yoan Antonac, a right-handed pitcher from Montpellier, signed with the Philadelphia Phillies in 2018. He played in the Rookie league until 2021. Known for his size and velocity, Antonac represents the modern wave of French-trained talent.
Though released from the Phillies, he remains active in European leagues and with Team France.
Ernesto Martinez Jr.
Born in Havana, Cuba, in 1999, Ernesto Martinez Jr. grew up in France and represented the French national team during the World Baseball Classic qualifiers. Signed by the Milwaukee Brewers in 2017, he received the highest signing bonus ever awarded to a French player.
Now playing first base at Triple-A with the Nashville Sounds, Martinez Jr. is praised for his power and athleticism. He is among the top French prospects closest to reaching MLB.
Mathias LaCombe
Mathias LaCombe, born in Libourne in 2002, is a right-handed pitcher partially trained in Toulouse. Drafted in the 12th round by the Chicago White Sox in 2023, he became the second French player ever selected in the MLB Draft.
He began his career in 2025 at the Rookie level with the ACL White Sox. With a fastball reaching 96 mph and a deep pitch arsenal, LaCombe is considered one of the most promising arms in the organization.
Unusual: baseball players named ‘France’
Well… they’re not French, but they do help to raise France’s profile at the highest level of world baseball.
Ty France
- Full name: Tyler Lawrence France
- Born: July 13, 1994, in Downey, California, USA
- Position: First baseman
- MLB debut: April 26, 2019, with the San Diego Padres
- Teams: San Diego Padres, Seattle Mariners, Cincinnati Reds, Minnesota Twins
- Highlights:
- Selected to the All-Star Game in 2022
- Known for consistent hitting and infield versatility
J.P. France
- Full name: Jonathan Patrick France
- Born: April 4, 1995, in New Orleans, Louisiana, USA
- Position: Pitcher
- MLB debut: May 6, 2023, with the Houston Astros
- Current team: Houston Astros
- Highlights:
- Drafted in the 14th round by the Astros in 2018
- Known for his competitive style and solid pitching
Ossie France
- Full name: Osman Beverly France
- Born: October 4, 1858, in Greensburg, Ohio, USA
- Position: Pitcher
- MLB debut: July 14, 1890, with the Chicago Colts
- MLB career: One appearance only, pitching two innings with an ERA of 13.50
Charlie French
- Full name: Charles Calvin French
- Born: October 12, 1883, in Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
- Position: Second baseman
- MLB debut: May 23, 1909, with the Boston Red Sox
- Teams: Boston Red Sox (1909–1910), Chicago White Sox (1910)
- Stats:
- .207 batting average
- 20 RBIs in 105 games
While several professional baseball players have had the surname “France”, none of them are French or connected to France by nationality or heritage. The name is purely a coincidence.