Ty France

Ty France's Biography

Tyler Lawrence France, born on July 13, 1994, boasts an illustrious career in Major League Baseball (MLB), presently serving as the first baseman for the Cincinnati Reds. Prior to his current stint, France demonstrated his extraordinary skills with the Seattle Mariners and San Diego Padres, with his performance in 2022 earning him a well-deserved All-Star title.

France’s baseball journey started in West Covina, California, where he attended South Hills High School. After high school, he decided to pursue college baseball from 2013 to 2015 at San Diego State University. His summer break in 2013 was no different as he played with the Bethesda Big Train, proving his metal as the team’s Outstanding Hitter.

In 2015, France’s junior season at San Diego State University, he exhibited stunning form. He scored .336 with four home runs and 49 RBIs in 64 games, finishing his career at the university with an impressive .337/.428/.470 line across just three seasons.

France’s impressive performance landed him with the San Diego Padres when selected in the 34th round, as the 1,017th overall selection of the 2015 MLB draft. His projected talent came with an enticing signing bonus of $100,000. Remaining consistent with his game, he made his professional debut with the Low–A Tri-City Dust Devils, hitting .294/.425/.391, scoring one home run and 36 RBI.

Over the next few seasons, France continued playing with utmost determination, successively with Single–A Fort Wayne TinCaps and the High–A Lake Elsinore Storm, then Lake Elsinore and Double–A San Antonio Missions, and following with San Antonio and Triple-A El Paso Chihuahuas. His stats through these years were truly noteworthy.

In November 2018, the Padres saw potential in France and added him to their 40-man roster to protect him from the Rule 5 draft. Things started spicing up in his career, and by April 2019, France was called up to the major league roster. He made his debut on April 26 and hit a pinch-hit single in his very first at-bat.

As the 2020 season began, he made his first appearance on an Opening Day roster as the starting designated hitter, thanks to the new COVID-19 rules. The Padres celebrated a 7-2 victory over the Arizona Diamondbacks, with France contributing one hit in four at-bats.

However, a decisive phase came when the Padres traded France, alongside others, to the Seattle Mariners in 2020. In his 23 games with the Mariners, he impressively hit .302 with 2 home runs and 13 RBI.

The year 2021 saw France at his best, hitting .291/.368/.445 with 18 home runs, 73 RBI, and 85 runs in 152 games, earning him an American League co-player of the week award in April 2022. He continued his outstanding performance throughout 2022, marking 140 appearances for Seattle and a remarkable record of .274/.338/.436 with 20 home runs and 83 RBI.

Betraying no signs of slowing down, France agreed to a one-year, $4.1 million contract with the Mariners in 2023, setting a major league record in hit by pitches (34). But 2024 brought unexpected circumstances as France and the Mariners agreed on a $6.775 million contract for the season, only for France to be placed on outright waivers due to his dropping performing levels.

After managing to clear waivers, France was eventually traded to his present team, the Cincinnati Reds, in exchange for Andruw Salcedo. Despite the ups and downs of his career, France’s personal life bloomed. He tied the knot with his wife, Maggie, in January 2022. By April 2024, they welcomed their first child, a boy, adding a new chapter to France’s life.

Having traversed both highs and lows, France continues to be a significant player in the world of professional baseball, adapting to his circumstances, learning, and invariably striving to give his best.