SHAWN HILL AND RAUL VALDES JOIN FIGUEROA WITH SUPERB PITCHING PERFORMANCES

Pitching has been the name of the game in recent days for Independent players trying to work their way onto Opening Day rosters in major league spring training camps.

 

Nelson Figueroa, who has been with three major league teams since his brief two-start experience with the Long Island (NY) Ducks (Atlantic League) back in 2006, stole the show with his six-inning scoreless string before he reached the World Baseball Classic-imposed 80-pitch count in that spell-binder that catapaulted Puerto Rico into the championship round and sent the United States players back to their various spring tranning camps.  But he was not alone.

 

Shawn Hill, who started last season in the Atlantic League (York, PA), made a statement to his Detroit Tigers bosses when he shut down St. Louis in the first four innings of a 3-0 Tigers triumph.  Hill allowed only one hit and one walk while striking out three.

 

And Raul Valdes, continuing to pitch for his future with the Philadelphia Phillies as either a starter or a reliever, shut down the New York Yankees in a three-inning starting stint.  He gave up three hits, fanned one and got the Phils started on their way to a 7-0 victory at the Yankees' Tampa, FL base.  The southpaw pitched for two Can-Am League teams (New Jersey and Nashua, NH).

 

Figueroa leaped off the mound and earned a big hug from St. Louis Cardinals all-star catcher Yadier Molina at the end of his triumphant stint against Team USA in Miami.  "We were supreme underdogs against that lineup," the 38-year-old told MLB.com.  "It was motivation to show them what kind of pitcher I was."  His task now is to convince the Arizona Diamondbacks he deserves his first major league opportunity since 2011.

 

We will have much more on the chances of players in major league camps for subscribers this Thursday in our regular Independent Baseball Insider column.

 

 

 

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