Figgins Becoming a Name They Trust

As Chone Figgins continues to try to make a name for himself while filling in for injured second baseman Adam Kennedy, he realizes that his distinctive first name doesn’t hurt his cause.

Figgins is used to stadium announcers, fans and reporters botching the name, which is actually pronounced the way that Angel utilityman Shawn Wooten’s is. He can still hear one atrociously mispronounced version of his name reverberate over the stadium speakers of the Class-A Potomac Cannons.

But Figgins’ instrumental play as a pinch-runner during the postseason, combined with solid performances such as the one he turned in Friday when he had a career-high three hits against the Oakland Athletics, have helped his become a name the Angels might call on more often.

Two of Figgins’ hits Friday were bunt singles, a sign that he can play to his strengths.

“He understands that he’s not going to win by trying to hit the ball out of the park,” Angel Manager Mike Scioscia said. “He has to use his legs, a big part of his offense. He’s a situational-type player that fits in with the rest of our group.”

Figgins, batting .357 in 14 at-bats, said his recent success has cut down on the number of mispronunciations.

“You hear it every once in a while,” he said, “but it’s not as bad as it was last year. It’s not a well-known, out-there name, so it doesn’t bother me when it happens. It’s just good to have somebody call your name.”

Especially in the major leagues.

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David Eckstein can thank Angel hitting coach Mickey Hatcher for helping him break out of an early-season slump in which his batting average dipped below .100 and he went 0 for 17 at one point.

Hatcher told the shortstop Thursday that his batting stance was off, that he was collapsing his back leg while swinging so that he didn’t generate his normal pop. Eckstein adjusted his stance and the move paid dividends Friday, when he had three hits in four at-bats to raise his average from .097 to .171.

“It just feels so much better now,” Eckstein said. “It feels like I have something behind my swing. Before when I stepped, everything went forward so I had nothing to swing with. Now when I step, I still have everything on my back leg and then I can pull everything through.”

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Aaron Sele appears on track to return to the starting rotation by May 1. The right-hander, recovering from off-season shoulder surgery, reported no pain Saturday after making his second rehabilitation start the previous day for Class-A Rancho Cucamonga.

After feeling antsy while watching his teammates build their strength and stamina during spring training, Sele said it had become easier to remain patient because the season’s started and, “I know I don’t have the strength to throw 100 pitches.”

Sele is expected to throw 60-70 pitches during his last rehabilitation start Wednesday for Rancho Cucamonga before making two final rehab appearances for triple-A Salt Lake.