Chances are if a player entered the Orioles? minor-league system over the past decade, they have ? at some point ? dealt with Bien Figueroa.
Figueroa, in his second year as manager of the Single-A Frederick Keys, has wore many hats within the O?s organization since finishing his playing career with the Rochester Red Wings in 1996. Whether it was as a field coach with Bowie or as the club?s minor-league infield instructor or as an affiliate manager, Figueroa has bestowed his baseball knowledge on hundreds of Oriole farmhands.
However, it may be as a manager where Figueroa?s future is brightest. The 42-year-old Dominican Republic native posted winning records in each of his first three years leading an Orioles affiliate, most recently last year, when Frederick went 84-63 and won the Carolina League championship.
“Just like the players, it?s the goal of every coach to reach the majors,” he said. “But unlike the majors, our job here is to develop players, and it?s a great feeling to see some of them make it to the Orioles.”
Figueroa said he said is confident that many of the players he has coached, especially pitching prospects such as Frederick?s Radhames Liz, has the proper makeup to advance through the Orioles? system.
“We should have a lot of our pitchers in the majors soon, and I think they will all be successful,” he said.
Figueroa?s string of consecutive winning seasons, which include stints with the Rookie League Bluefield Orioles in 2002 and the Single-A Delmarva Shorebirds in 2003, is likely to come to an end this year, as promotions and injuries have wreaked havoc on the Keys.
Frederick finished the first half of its schedule 26-43 and in last place in the Carolina League?s Northern Division. Overall, Figueroa has a career minor-league managerial record of 228-203 entering this week.
Still, the Orioles? director of minor league operations David Stockstill said he believes Figueroa has a bright future as a manager.
“Bien is an outstanding young coach and a good infield instructor who I could envision coaching in the big leagues one day,” Stockstill said.
THE FIGUEROA FILE
Position: Manager, Frederick Keys
Hometown: Santo, Domingo, D.R.
Did you know? Figueroa led Bluefield to a 45-23 record and an appearance in the Appalachian League finals in his lone season as its manager in 2002 ? He spent 11 years as a player, including eight seasons in the St. Louis Cardinals organization ? He made the New York-Penn League all-star team in 1986 and the Midwest League squad in 1987 as a shortstop.
