Surviving The SAL
The South Atlantic League is the first stop for many Venezuelan baseball players with big dreams.  For many, it is also their last stop.

Ronald Young
Minor League News

The journey from the baseball-mad country of Venezuela to the South Atlantic League (SAL) is more than a long airplane ride and a lot of immigration paperwork. It’s the first, and often the last stop on the line for hopefuls with big dreams far away from family and the familiar.

The Cannon Falls Silent

One of the Dodgers' top prospects left-hander Jonathan Figueroa had a bright future.

"He was on the fast track to the big leagues," says Dodgers Scouting Director Logan White, responsible for signing Figueroa.

During the 2002 instructional league, Figueroa was diagnosed with a case of mild shoulder tendonitis. After a delay of several months, Figueroa returned to Columbus in the SAL.

Strikeouts and victories did not come so easily in 2003, as he lost several miles per hour off of his fastball.  The big lefty finished with a 1-8 record and 4.94 ERA.

"The biggest thing that I [learned that] year is that trying to have command of all your pitches is more important than striking out twelve batters," he conceded.

Figueroa hit a roadblock in 2004 at Vero Beach in the Florida State League.  His goal in 2004 was to straighten out his mechanics.  Pitching in 23 games, mostly in relief, Figueroa had an 0-1 record with a lofty 7.00 ERA.  These numbers landed him back in the SAL with the Columbus Catfish to finish out the season.

Bomber Flying in Under the Radar

Capital City Bombers pitcher Miguel Piñango wasn't a prospect on very many radar screens. Then, seemingly out of nowhere, the right-hander started the 2003 season 10-0 before finally losing a game in early July.  His impressive run earned him a spot in the South Atlantic League All Star game at which he was unable to participate due to an injury.

"He has incredible potential. I think Piñango is one the four or five best pitchers in this league,” says former Savannah Sand Gnats manager Joey Cora.

Piñango’s brother Alejandro is an important source of inspiration.  Alejandro played professionally, but never made it to the United States. Piñango attributes much of his success to having pitched winter ball in his homeland.

“It is very important to play there because you learn more things and you develop more quickly,” says Piñango.

“He has experience pitching in winter ball against big leaguers," adds Cora. 

That translated into a 13-6 record and a 3.47 ERA in 2003. Like Figueroa, 2004 was not an easy one for Piñango who made the jump to St. Lucie  in the FSL where he posted a 2-2 record with a 2.75 ERA largely due to injuries.

 

Continued...

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