Who is Pedro Figueroa, Texas Rangers claimed him

Sep 16, 2013; Oakland, CA, USA; Oakland Athletics relief pitcher

(65) pitches the ball against the Los Angeles Angels during the eighth inning at O.co Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports

Today the Texas Rangers claimed off waivers LHP Pedro Figueroa from the Tampa Bays Rays.  To make room for him on the 40 man roster, they designated for assignment RHP Chaz Roe.

Before Tampa Bay picked him, he played in Oakland from 2012 to 2013.   He spent most of his time in 2013 with Triple-A Sacramento, with a 4.10 ERA and a 1.48 K/BB over 59.1 innings.   Before the Athletics, in 2010 he had Tommy John surgery and missed the entire 2011 season.

According to scouting reports he is a left-handed pitcher who was one of the Oakland Athletics top pitching prospects.  In 2010, Figueroa was ranked in the top 10 prospect list for the Oakland Athletics.

Here is what the Texas Rangers have to say about him.

"“He has a lively arm,” said Josh Boyd, Rangers director of professional scouting. “Our scouts have seen mid 90s [fastball] and touching 97 with signs of a good slider. It’s going to be a matter of command and consistency for him, but he has the potential to be impactful with that kind of stuff from the left side out of the bullpen.” (T.R. Sullivan MLB.com)"

For his career Figueroa has held opposing left-handed batters to a batting average of .229/.270/.257.   Overall for his career in the majors, he has an ERA of 4.38, WHIP of 1.622, and 17 strikeouts over 24.2 innings.

More than likely Pedro Figueroa will start the season in AAA.  If he’s able to prove himself, he is he could make it to the majors with the Texas Rangers.