Figaro Named Player of Week

Published on May 5, 2008 under Midwest League (MWL1)
West Michigan Whitecaps News Release

COMSTOCK PARK, MI - The West Michigan Whitecaps, in conjunction with the Midwest League, announced today that RHP Alfredo Figaro was named the MWL Pitcher of the Week for the week of April 28 to May 4.

Figaro was already leading the Midwest League in ERA heading into his start Sunday afternoon against Quad Cities and he promptly fired a three-hit shutout to improve to 4-0. The Samana, Dominican Republic native struck out a season-high 11 batters and walked none in his second solid outing last week. Figaro also pitched on Monday, April 28 at Wisconsin, limiting the Timber Rattlers to one unearned run through 6.0 innings and nine strikeouts for a no-decision.

He went 1-0 with a 0.00 ERA with 20 strikeouts and three walks in two starts last week. Overall on the season, Figaro is 4-0 with a 0.46 ERA (39.0ip/2er) with 40 strikeouts, 12 walks and one complete-game shutout through six starts for West Michigan.

Figaro is the first Whitecap to win a MWL Player of the Week award in 2008 and the first ‘Caps pitcher to claim the award since Jonah Nickerson on July 23, 2007.

Signed by the Dodgers as a non-drafted free agent on June 18, 2004, Figaro made just five appearances in the Dominican Summer League as a Dodger before being released on October 11, 2004. The Tigers signed Figaro as a minor league free agent on March 7, 2005, and he posted an 8-2 record and 1.87 ERA with the Dominican Summer League Tigers in 2005. He spent the 2006 season with the Gulf Coast League Tigers before splitting time between short-season Oneonta and High-A Lakeland last season.

For more information on Figaro and the award, please contact the Whitecaps PR Department at 616-784-4131.

Midwest League Stories from May 5, 2008

• Cougars cash in on walks to beat Whitecaps - West Michigan Whitecaps
• Chiefs use long ball to sink Kernels, 5-2 - Cedar Rapids Kernels
• Snappers double-up Lansing, 4-2 - Lansing Lugnuts
• Johnson's Arm, Ortiz' Bat Power Loons to Victory - Great Lakes Loons
• Loons get the jump on the Rattlers - Wisconsin Timber Rattlers
• Chiefs Win 5-2 on Monday - Peoria Chiefs
• Cougars cash in on walks to beat Whitecaps - Kane County Cougars
• Reed, Partch Lead Dragons to 9-2 Win - Dayton Dragons
• Bandits burned by Dragons 9-2 - Quad Cities River Bandits
• Bees Score First Three Runs But Lose 4-3 - Burlington Bees
• Former Illini Star Roger Powell Jr. to Give Motivational Speech - Peoria Chiefs
• Chiefs and Caterpillar Present Hannah Montana Star Jason Earles - Peoria Chiefs
• Figaro Named Player of Week - West Michigan Whitecaps
• Magnet schools highlighted at May 9th Lugnuts game - Lansing Lugnuts
• Loons Make Roster Moves - Great Lakes Loons

The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

Other Recent West Michigan Whitecaps Stories

• Pacheco Makes History in 5-0 'Caps Victory
• Whitecaps Silenced in 3-0 Shutout
• 'Caps Power Past Fort Wayne, 5-1
• Minton Propels 'Caps to 8-3 Win
• Pacheco, Pen Push 'Caps to 5-4 Win