J.P. France

J.P. France, born Jonathan France on April 4, 1995, in New Orleans, Louisiana, is a professional baseball pitcher known for his right-handed batting and throwing. France attended Archbishop Shaw High School in Louisiana and later played college baseball at Mississippi State University. He was selected in the 14th round of the 2018 MLB Draft by the Houston Astros. France made his MLB debut on May 6, 2023, and has since established himself as a promising pitcher. In the 2025 season, he showcased his skills as a starting pitcher, recording a 2.25 ERA over 4 innings in relief appearances, with an opponent batting average of .143 and a WHIP of 1.0. This reflects a notable improvement from previous seasons, such as 2024, where he had an ERA of 7.461 over 25.1 innings. France's pitching arsenal includes a mix of pitches, with a four-seam fastball averaging 92.6 mph, and a curveball with an average spin rate of 2662 RPM. His ability to adapt and refine his techniques has contributed to his growing reputation in the league. France continues to be a pivotal player for the Astros, demonstrating resilience and skill on the mound.