Loons Add Former Top Prospect Figueroa

Published on August 16, 2007 under Midwest League (MWL1)
Great Lakes Loons News Release

The Los Angeles Dodgers, in conjunction with the Great Lakes Loons, have announced the addition of left-handed pitcher Jonathan Figueroa to the team's roster. Pitcher Josh Wall has been transferred to the Ogden roster.

In 2003, Figueroa made a name for himself being ranked as the Dodgers' No. 2 prospect and 35th best prospect in baseball according to Baseball America. The year before, he went 7-3 with a 1.42 earned run average. His 105 strikeouts in 76 innings between the Pioneer and South Atlantic leagues ranked him among the top pitchers in the Los Angeles farm system. His curveball was rated the best in the Dodger organization after that season as well.

The lefty was unhittable for most of the Venezuelan Winter League season last year. The 23-year-old pitched a stretch of 14 scoreless innings over 14 appearances from November 4 to December 16. He ended the season by giving up runs in three of his last four appearances but finished with a 2-2 record and 1.36 ERA in 27 games.

Last year, Figueroa went 1-7 with a 7.29 ERA in 17 games for Vero Beach. The southpaw has yet to pitch in a game this season.

Figueroa is coming off a 50-game suspension for violating minor league baseball's substance abuse policy.

The Loons return home for a quick two-game series beginning tonight when they take on the Midwest League East first-half champion Dayton Dragons. Game time is set for 7:05pm ET. The first 3,500 fans through the gates (all ages) will receive a Retro Baseball Card Poster courtesy of F.P. Horak. Friday's game is sold out. For ticket information call 989-837-BALL or visit Loons.com.

Midwest League Stories from August 16, 2007

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• Wisconsin Gets by Clinton 7-4 - Wisconsin Timber Rattlers
• Burnett and Snappers Shut Down Bees - Beloit Sky Carp
• Garceau Twirls Five Scoreless, Two-Hit Innings - Quad Cities River Bandits
• Chiefs Blown Out in Lackluster Game at Cedar Rapids - Peoria Chiefs
• Cougars Struggle in Loss to Swing - Kane County Cougars
• Loons Drop Opener to Dayton - Great Lakes Loons
• Whitecaps Rout South Bend - West Michigan Whitecaps
• Lugnuts Leave Wizards Spellbound - Lansing Lugnuts
• Dragons Flex First Inning Muscles in 6-1 Win - Dayton Dragons
• Chiefs Add Two 2007 Draftees For Stretch Run - Peoria Chiefs
• Loons Add Former Top Prospect Figueroa - Great Lakes Loons
• Jeremy Haynes to DL; Jim West joins Kernels - Cedar Rapids Kernels
• Bob L. Head To Be At JOD On August 24 - Quad Cities River Bandits

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.

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