Jonathan Figueroa
| IP | 461 |
|---|---|
| ERA | 4.842 |
| WHIP | 1.531 |
| BB/9 | 5.31 |
| SO/9 | 8.59 |
- Full name Jonathan Jose Figueroa
- Born 09/15/1983 in Barquisimeto, Venezuela
- Died 11/08/2009 in Maracaibo, Venezuela
- Profile Ht.: 6'5" / Wt.: 205 / Bats: L / Throws: L
- School E.T.I. Simon
Top Rankings
Organization Prospect Rankings
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The Dodgers signed Figueroa for $500,000 following an outstanding performance on the Perfect Game showcase circuit in the spring of 2002. He was so dominant in his pro debut that some Los Angeles officials believed he could have handled a jump to the major league bullpen. But Figueroa came down with shoulder tendinitis in instructional league following the 2002 season. As a result, his mechanics got out of whack and his velocity and command suffered. It didn't help when Figueroa showed up out of shape last spring. He lost his fluid arm action trying to compensate for his shoulder soreness, and only after extensive work with South Georgia pitching coach Roger McDowell did Figueroa begin to show flashes of past form. His fastball didn't approach the 93-94 mph range he's capable of, but rather sat at 86-88 and topped out at 91. His breaking ball is a plus pitch and a devastating sight for lefthanders, coming out of Figueroa's low three-quarters slot. He's still developing a changeup. Rated the No. 2 prospect in the system a year ago, Figueroa has seen his stock drop. While he has a chance to bounce back, most scouts are projecting him as a reliever now. If he looks like his old self in spring training, Figueroa could open 2004 in high Class A. -
Figueroa burst onto the prospect scene in December 2000 at the Perfect Game World Showcase in Fort Myers, Fla., and he spent the majority of 2001 touring the showcase circuit. He also played in the Perfect Game Fall Scout League in Iowa, going 6-1 with 65 strikeouts in 33 innings that summer. The Dodgers got a bargain when they signed him for $500,000 last January. Figueroa fires an 89-94 mph fastball from a deceptive three-quarters slot, creating outstanding arm-side run. His curveball is the best in the organization. He'll drop down for a low three-quarters release to get a slider break against lefthanders--who managed a .141 average against him--and throw a hard, downward- biting curve against righties. He honed his changeup and toned his developing body in instructional league. Figueroa's mechanics are solid, though he occasionally rushes his arm. That causes him to lose his balance, affecting his command. Figueroa could get lefties out in the big leagues right now, and the Dodgers will move him along aggressively. His next stop is the high Class A rotation.
Minor League Top Prospects
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Figueroa signed for $500,000 as a free agent out of Venezuela this spring after making his rounds at Perfect Game showcases. His fastball reaches the plate at 90-94 mph and he can throw his above-average curveball for strikes. Figueroa stands 6-foot-5 and generally throws from a low three-quarters arm slot, but varies his release point on his curve to make it break more vertically or horizontally. His arm angle and movement remind people of John Candelaria. He still needs work on his changeup and overall command. "He might end up being the best pitcher out of this league," Great Falls manager Dann Bilardello said, "when you combine his size and his abilities at such a young age."
