Cole Figueroa

{{Infobox baseball biography

|name=Cole Figueroa

|image=Cole Figueroa (3878455303) (cropped).jpg

|caption=Figueroa with the Fort Wayne TinCaps in 2009

|width=200

|position=Infielder

|bats=Left

|throws=Right

|birth_date={{birth date and age|1987|6|30}}

|birth_place=Tallahassee, Florida, U.S.

|debutleague = MLB

| debutdate = May 16

| debutyear = 2014

| debutteam = Tampa Bay Rays

| finalleague=MLB

|finaldate=June 10

|finalyear=2016

|finalteam=Pittsburgh Pirates

|statleague = MLB

| stat1label = Batting average

| stat1value = .208

| stat2label = Home runs

| stat2value = 0

| stat3label = Runs batted in

| stat3value = 9

|teams=

Tampa Bay Rays ({{mlby|2014}})
New York Yankees ({{mlby|2015}})
Pittsburgh Pirates ({{mlby|2016}})

}}

Stephen Coleman Figueroa (born June 30, 1987) is an American former professional baseball infielder and current assistant general manager for the Texas Rangers of Major League Baseball (MLB). He played in MLB from 2014 to 2016 for the Tampa Bay Rays, New York Yankees, and Pittsburgh Pirates.

Amateur career

Figueroa attended Lincoln High School in Tallahassee, Florida,{{cite web|url=http://www.tallahassee.com/story/sports/local-sports/2014/05/17/former-lincoln-ss-figueroa-makes-major-league-debut/9212283/|title=Former Lincoln SS Figueroa makes major-league debut|author=Jim Henry, Tallahassee Democrat|date=May 17, 2014|work=Tallahassee Democrat|access-date=July 9, 2015}} where he helped take the school's baseball team to the District 4A Championship. Figueroa played college baseball at the University of Florida while majoring in Sports Management. Figueroa's college achievements included All-Southeastern Conference (SEC) Freshman Team the SEC all-academic team. Figueroa was also named freshman All-American by rivals.com, Louisville Slugger, and Baseball America. He was selected to the Dick Howser Trophy watch list.{{citation needed|date=July 2015}}

In 2008, Figueroa was named to the All-SEC academic team. He was named a Golden Spikes Award finalist along with being named to the midseason watch list for the Brooks Wallace Award. Figueroa led the Gators that year in average, home runs, RBI, Slugging percentage and on-base percentage.

In 2007, he played collegiate summer baseball with the Harwich Mariners of the Cape Cod Baseball League (CCBL), and was named a league all-star. He returned to the CCBL in 2008 to play for the Orleans Cardinals.{{cite web|author= |url=http://www.thebaseballcube.com/college/summer/stats.asp?Y=2007&T=Harwich_Mariners |title=2007 Harwich Mariners |publisher=thebaseballcube.com |date= |accessdate=July 20, 2021}}{{cite web|author= |url=http://www.thebaseballcube.com/college/summer/stats.asp?Y=2008&T=Orleans_Cardinals |title=2008 Orleans Cardinals |publisher=thebaseballcube.com |date= |accessdate=July 20, 2021}}{{cite news | title = Cape Cod Baseball League All-Star rosters | pages = 18 | newspaper = Yarmouth Register | location = Yarmouth, MA | date = July 26, 2007 | url = http://digital.olivesoftware.com/Olive/APA/Sturgis/SharedView.Article.aspx?href=DPLTR%2F2007%2F07%2F26&id=Ar01803&sk=2A10DE5B&viewMode=image }}

Professional career

=San Diego Padres=

Figueroa was drafted by the San Diego Padres in the 6th round, with the 195th overall selection, of the 2008 Major League Baseball draft by the San Diego Padres. Figueroa received an over slot $400,000 signing bonus when he signed a contract with the Padres on July 5, 2008.{{cite web|url=http://sandiego.padres.mlb.com/news/press_releases/press_release.jsp?ymd=20080725&content_id=3191912&vkey=pr_sd&fext=.jsp&c_id=sd|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140517154504/http://sandiego.padres.mlb.com/news/press_releases/press_release.jsp?ymd=20080725&content_id=3191912&vkey=pr_sd&fext=.jsp&c_id=sd|url-status=dead|archive-date=May 17, 2014|title=Padres sign sixth-round pick Cole Figueroa|work=San Diego Padres|access-date=July 9, 2015}} He made his professional debut with the Low-A Eugene Emeralds, hitting .290 in 32 games.

Figueroa split the 2009 campaign between the Single-A Fort Wayne TinCaps and High-A Lake Elsinore Storm. In 91 appearances split between the two affiliates, he batted .288/.374/.361 with one home run, 43 RBI, and 15 stolen bases.{{Cite web|title=Cole Figueroa - Stats - Batting|url=https://www.fangraphs.com/players/cole-figueroa/8790/stats?position=2B|access-date=February 11, 2025|website=fangraphs.com|language=en}} Figueroa spent the 2010 season back with Lake Elsinore, playing in 124 games and hitting .303/.408/.392 with four home runs, 66 RBI, and 26 stolen bases.{{Cite web|title=Cole Figueroa Stats & Scouting Report|url=https://www.baseballamerica.com/players/671446-cole-figueroa/stats/|access-date=February 11, 2025|website=baseballamerica.com|language=en}}

=Tampa Bay Rays=

The Padres traded Figueroa to the Tampa Bay Rays along with Brandon Gomes, Cesar Ramos, and Adam Russell in exchange for Jason Bartlett on December 17, 2010.{{cite web|url=http://www.signonsandiego.com// |title=San Diego News, Local, California and National News | UTSanDiego.com |publisher=Signonsandiego.com |date=December 8, 2013 |access-date=December 14, 2013}}

The Rays called up Figueroa to the major leagues on May 15, 2014{{cite web|url=https://www.tampabay.com/sports/baseball/rays/rays-call-up-cole-figueroa/2180086/|title=Rays call up Cole Figueroa|work=Tampa Bay Times|access-date=July 9, 2015}} and he made his MLB debut two days later. In 23 games during his rookie campaign, he batted .233/.286/.326 with no home runs and six RBI. Figueroa was designated for assignment by the Rays on November 20,{{Cite web|title=Rays Designate Michael Kohn, Cole Figueroa For Assignment|url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2014/11/rays-designate-michael-kohn-cole-figueroa-for-assignment.html|access-date=February 11, 2025|website=mlbtraderumors.com|language=en}} and released by the team the same day.

=New York Yankees=

On December 12, 2014, Figueroa signed a minor league contract with the New York Yankees organization.{{cite web|url=http://www.baseballamerica.com/minors/minor-league-transactions-dec-6-12-2/|title=Minor League Transactions: Dec. 6–12|work=BaseballAmerica.com|access-date=July 9, 2015}} He began the season with the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders of the Triple-A International League. On July 9, 2015, the Yankees selected Figueroa's contract, adding him to their active roster.{{cite web|url=http://www.nj.com/yankees/index.ssf/2015/07/who_is_yankees_recent_call-up_cole_figueroa.html|title=Who is Yankees' recent call-up Cole Figueroa?|work=NJ.com|date=July 9, 2015|access-date=July 9, 2015}} In 2 games for New York, he went 2-for-8 (.260). Figueroa was designated for assignment by the Yankees on September 1.{{Cite web|title=Yankees Designate Tyler Austin And Cole Figueroa, Call Up Andrew Bailey|url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2015/09/yankees-activate-andrew-bailey-designate-austin-figueroa.html|access-date=February 11, 2025|website=mlbtraderumors.com|language=en}} He cleared waivers and was sent outright to Scranton two days later.{{Cite web|title=Minor MLB Transactions: 9/3/15|url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2015/09/cole-figueroa-outrighted-yankees.html|access-date=February 11, 2025|website=mlbtraderumors.com|language=en}} Figueroa elected free agency on November 6.{{cite web|url=http://www.milb.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=milb&t=l_trn&lid=117|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120421150258/http://www.milb.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=milb&t=l_trn&lid=117|url-status=dead|archive-date=April 21, 2012|title=International League Transactions|page=November 2015|work=Minor League Baseball|access-date=November 6, 2015}}

=Pittsburgh Pirates=

On December 8, 2015, Figueroa signed a minor league contract with the Pittsburgh Pirates.{{cite web|url=http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2015/12/minor-mlb-transactions-12815.html|title=Minor MLB Transactions: 12/8/15|work=mlb trade rumors|date=December 8, 2015|access-date=December 8, 2015|first=Mark|last=Polishuk}} On April 2, 2016, it was announced that Figueroa would make the Pirates' Opening Day roster as a reserve infielder, beating out offseason acquisition Jason Rogers and incumbent Pedro Florimón for the job.{{cite web |url=http://www.bucsdugout.com/2016/4/2/11353758/cole-figueroa-to-make-pirates-opening-day-roster |title=Cole Figueroa to make Pirates' Opening Day roster |work=SB Nation |first=Charlie |last=Wilmoth |date=April 2, 2016}} He hit .260/.321/.340 in 57 plate appearances in spring training.

Figueroa made his Pirates debut on April 8, 2016, fouling out to third base in a pinch hit appearance. On June 24, he was designated for assignment.{{cite web|url=http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2016/06/pirates-designate-cole-figueroa-jorge-rondon.html|title=Pirates Designate Cole Figueroa, Jorge Rondon|last=Todd|first=Jeff|work=mlbtraderumors.com|date=June 24, 2016|access-date=June 24, 2016}}

=Los Angeles Dodgers=

On June 28, 2016, Figueroa was claimed off waivers by the Los Angeles Dodgers and subsequently optioned to the Triple-A Oklahoma City Dodgers.{{cite web|url=http://www.truebluela.com/2016/6/28/12053918/cole-figueroa-waivers-dodgers-pirates|title=Dodgers claim Cole Figueroa off waivers from Pirates|work=SB Nation|first=Eric|last=Stephen|date=June 28, 2016|access-date=June 28, 2016}} He was designated for assignment by the Dodgers on July 8, and elected free agency over an outright assignment on July 11.{{cite web|url=http://www.truebluela.com/2016/7/8/12126772/andrew-toles-called-up-carlos-frias-optioned-dodgers-triple-a|title=Andrew Toles called up from Triple-A, Dodgers option Carlos Frias|work=SB Nation|first=Eric|last=Stephen|date=July 8, 2016|access-date=July 8, 2016}}{{cite web|url=http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2016/07/minor-mlb-transactions-71116.html|title=Minor MLB Transactions: 7/11/16|work=MLB Trade Rumors|first=Steve|last=Adams|date=July 11, 2016|access-date=July 12, 2016}}

Post-playing career

=Tampa Bay Rays=

On December 16, 2021, the Tampa Bay Rays announced that Figueroa had been promoted to serve as the team's director of baseball operations.{{Cite web|url=https://www.nj.com/yankees/2021/12/mlb-rumors-rays-promote-ex-yankees-infielder-in-front-office-reorganization.html|title = MLB rumors: Rays promote ex-Yankees infielder in front-office reorganization|date = December 16, 2021}}

=Texas Rangers=

On November 4, 2024, Figueroa was named the assistant general manager of the Texas Rangers.{{Cite web|title=Rangers Promote Ross Fenstermaker To GM|url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2024/11/latest-on-rangers-front-office-plans.html|access-date=November 7, 2024|website=mlbtraderumors.com|date=November 4, 2024 |language=en}}

Personal life

Figueroa is the son of Cindy and Bien Figueroa. His father played in the major leagues for the St. Louis Cardinals. Cole, his wife Natalie, and son currently reside in Tampa, FL.