St. Louis Cardinals: Team purchases Martin Figueroa’s contract

The St. Louis Cardinals have added a third baseman to their farm system after purchasing the contract of Martin Figueroa.

Martin Figueroa spent the last season as a member of the Sussex County Miners of the Canadian-American Association. After a standout season, the St. Louis Cardinals have decided to take a chance on the soon to be 23 year old.

Though the congratulatory Tweet below says third baseman, Figueroa is also listed as a catcher and first baseman on Baseball Reference. If he does continue at third, he will join a crowded company of potential stars like Nolan Gorman and Elehuris Montero.

https://twitter.com/SCMiners/status/1067465843813040128

Meet The Player

The newest member to the St. Louis Cardinals farm system is a switch hitter. His last listed playing height and weight was 5’11” 200 pounds.

This will not be Figueroa’s first crack at professional baseball. After attending the University of Rhode Island, the Houston Astros selected him in the 32nd round of the 2017 draft. He totaled 66 at bats in 21 games in rookie ball, slashing .273/.392/.348.

Defensively, the Astros used him as a catcher, where he committed three errors in 166.1 innings behind the plate, while allowing six passed balls. In 21 stealing attempts, he threw out six batters.

In September following his debut year, Figueroa was released by the Astros organization.

It seems he found new life with Sussex County. His slash line with the Miners reads .328/.444/.481. He played a lot more games too, 96 to 21. He was able to knock five homers, hit six triples, and even steal 20 bases.

Figueroa did play both first and catcher for the Miners, but just a combined seven games. He spent most of his time at third base where he committed seven errors in 128 chances.

Indy Ball And The Cardinals

The St. Louis Cardinals have had good fortune recently with players from Independent Leagues. Most recently there is Austin Warner, who has shot up the ranks rather quickly after starting his career in the Frontier League.

As for Figueroa, this is his second chance to prove he belongs in the MiLB. He could turn into a decent player. It seems as if something clicked for him in the Can-Am League, so he is certainly worth taking a shot on.

The St. Louis Cardinals farm system is getting another third baseman with some potential. After Gorman and Montero broke out this year, the team signed Malcolm Nunez during the international signing period. Figueroa has a long way to go to be at that level, but this is his second chance.