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Can-Am Sussex County Miners

Miners Championship Hero Figueroa Going to St. Louis

November 28, 2018 - Canadian American League (Can-Am)
Sussex County Miners News Release


Augusta, NJ - For the fourth time in the 2018 calendar year, the Sussex County Miners have had the contract of one of their players purchased by a MLB affiliate. This time, Can-Am League Championship Series hero Martin Figueroa had his contract purchased by the St. Louis Cardinals organization, the club announced today. Figueroa become the 1st Miners position player to have their contract picked up by an MLB organization, following pitchers Jesse Beal (in 2017), David Rollins, Alex Demchak, and recently Kenny Koplove.

It's been a busy off-season for Miners manager Bobby Jones, who was one again confident that a MLB affiliate was getting a good player in Figueroa, in this case the Cardinals. "He's a high character guy," Jones would say about the Elizabeth, NJ native. "He's a great kid, he can really hit, he's got a lot of versatility. I think the sky's the limit."

Jones would also praise the person that Martin was in the clubhouse. "High character, smart, smart guy," the Miners field manager would add. "Fun, you know, really enjoys the game, really enjoys his teammates. They're getting a great guy."

Figueroa will most be remembered for his walk-off, 3-run home run in Game 4 of the Can-Am League Championship Series against the Quebec Capitales back on September 15th at Skylands Stadium. The 3-run shot - his second home run of the game as he had hit a solo home run in the 6th inning as well - gave the Miners their first ever Can-Am League Championship and instantly became one of the most iconic moments in Sussex County sports and Can-Am League history.

Figueroa had a stellar 2018 campaign, hitting .328 with 5 HRs and 50 RBIs, good enough to earn him the Can-Am League Rookie of the Year honors. The product of the University of Rhode Island earned Player of the Month honors in June by hitting .422 in the month, with a staggering .515 on-base percentage and 12 multi-hit games. Martin earned Player of the Week honors for the week ending June 10th, as he hit .444 (8-for-18) during the week, with 2 doubles, 1 triple, and 9 RBIs in the week-long stretch.

Those numbers from a player who started the season as one of 3 Catchers on the Sussex County roster - before ones moved him to Third Base after opening weekend. "Well one, he's a good athlete, and two, I thought he just swung the bat too well to be behind the plate," Jones would state when asked about making the decision to move Figueroa from Catcher to Third Base. "He's a high end offensive player, and I didn't feel like him being behind the dish would be conducive for what we were trying to do."

Figueroa now marks the 4th Miner to be sent to a MLB affiliate since August 12th, something that Jones is certainly proud of. "It's two things," he would say about his role in moving players on to MLB clubs. "It's gratifying from a standpoint of this is what I do to help guys like this to get another opportunity, and it's just such a gratifying feeling."

In particular, Bobby will remember the phone call when he told the man fans affectionately called "Figgy" about the move to the Cardinals organization. "Last night when I told Martin and to hear the excitement in his voice and everything, it was just a really cool experience," Jones would reminisce. "My hair was sticking up! You know I'm bald, so my hair was growing as he was doing his thing! I've sent a lot of guys in the last two years and this was very special because I never felt like he should have been out (of affiliated ball)."

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Canadian American League Stories from November 28, 2018


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