Focus for Figgins Is on Runs, Not Steals

The bar has been set, but it is not necessarily one leadoff batter Chone Figgins needs to reach or surpass. Leading the major leagues in stolen bases -- as Figgins did when he swiped 62 in 2005 -- is not as important as being among the league leaders in runs.

“We need Figgy to score runs, and the stolen base is a means to do that,” Manager Mike Scioscia said. “Just because he stole 62 last year doesn’t mean he needs to steal 70 this year. His improvement will come in repeating it, in getting the tough stolen base when we really need it. That’s what he has to shoot for.”

Figgins, who batted .290 and ranked sixth in the American League with 113 runs last season, can distract opposing pitchers and disrupt defenses, but if creating havoc on the basepaths doesn’t create runs, that speed won’t be an effective weapon.

“You have people who go out and run a lot, but is it helping the team?” said Figgins, who is expected to start at third base this season. “I’ve seen guys in the minor leagues who steal a lot of bases, but they’re not scoring a lot of runs.

“I take pride in my baserunning more than stolen bases, on moving up on a ball in the dirt, taking an extra base on a hit. I don’t set a goal to steal 60 or 70 bases.”

Figgins, who signed a three-year, $10.5-million contract this winter, was caught stealing only 17 times in 2005, giving him a 78% success rate, so he has learned to pick his spots.

“Opportunities depend on the pitcher and the catcher, the count, the game situation ... these are factors that work against you, but they can also be a plus,” Figgins said. “Success rate is important, but if you’re stealing a lot, that means you’re getting on base a lot and the guys behind you are getting better pitches to hit.”

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Bartolo Colon cut loose on a number of fastballs during a 12-minute session of live batting practice Sunday, and the Angel ace remains on track to pitch for the Dominican Republic in the World Baseball Classic.

Kelvim Escobar also looked sharp, with the exception of one pitch that drilled batter Mike Napoli in the side. Escobar threw a shortened eight-minute session because he will start an intrasquad game Tuesday before leaving for Florida, where he will pitch in an exhibition for Venezuela’s WBC team Saturday.

Escobar, who is returning to the rotation after finishing an injury-plagued 2005 season in the bullpen, said the WBC has helped him get physically and mentally ready a lot sooner than he normally does.

“Coming to spring training and knowing you have to be ready in two weeks, I did a lot more work,” Escobar said. “At the same time, I’ve been smart. I knew if I wasn’t ready, I wasn’t going to pitch in the WBC.”

Scioscia just hopes Escobar isn’t pushing himself too hard.

“Him being a little further along is not necessarily a good or bad thing,” Scioscia said. “At this point in the spring, there’s a danger in guys getting cranked up for competition that is going to be more intense. I don’t think there’s any benefit to it. A more controlled environment [in camp] allows for a little setback here or there.”

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Scioscia, the former Dodger catcher, loves participating in various fielding drills during camp, but he paid the price Sunday. While impersonating a batter, Scioscia was drilled in the left shoulder by an Ervin Santana fastball. “It was about 87 mph,” Scioscia said. “It was firm.” ... John Lackey, J.C. Romero and Hector Carrasco are among the pitchers who will play in Tuesday’s intrasquad game.