Background: Chone Figgins, 5-feet-7, 180 pounds, is a reminder of the series of mistakes the Rockies made in 2001 as they tried to fill the sinkhole in left field after Todd Hollandsworth’s leg injury. In a six-week span from June 2 to July 13, the club traded Figgins, hitting just .220 in his fifth minor-league season, Josh Bard and Jody Gerut for Kimera Bartee and Jacob Cruz. Bartee went hitless in 15 at-bats before disappearing. Figgins blossomed into an invaluable utility player for the Angels.
What’s up: Figgins is Juan Pierre with more versatility. The two are close friends and bear a striking resemblance on the field. Figgins just plays more positions. He was a savior for an Angels team struck by an injury to third-base prospect Dallas McPherson and the periodic ineffectiveness of outfielders Garret Anderson and Steve Finley.
Stat line: Figgins, hitting .288 with a .348 on-base percentage and 59 stolen bases entering Saturday’s game against the Texas Rangers, isn’t a player – he’s Arm & Hammer. He has that many uses, anyway. Look at his starts and marvel: 47 3B, 45 CF, 35 2B, 13 LF, 7 RF, 1 SS. He has also been a late-game substitution at all those spots. Perhaps most impressive is Figgins has committed only two errors in the outfield given that his natural position is second base.
What’s next: The playoffs accent the skills of a player like Figgins, making a good manager like Mike Scioscia even more effective. Figgins gives his boss more options late in the game, opening up potentially better pinch-hit matchups.
Renck’s take: Slugger Vladimir Guerrero and pitcher Bartolo Colon, a 21-game winner, give the Angels a legitimate shot of making it to the World Series. Figgins, in some ways, is just as important. Though he has room for improvement in his bunting and stolen base skills, Figgins can help manufacture runs. That is valued in the playoffs as much as great pitching.
