If Angel slugger Vladimir Guerrero is having a good year at the plate, it's because two rabbit-fast switch-hitters are setting the table. Chone Figgins and Reggie Willits, both former PCL ballplayers in Salt Lake City, are a big reason the Angels are in first place.
"We know how important our farm teams are," says manager Mike Scioscia. "Willits and Figgins played well in Salt Lake City, and they brought that same game here. It's been good to see. A lot of players are helping us who came out of Salt Lake City."
Indeed, many — Willits, Jeff Mathis, Erick Aybar and several others — are Utah double-dippers, having played in Salt Lake City and Provo as well. A good 40 percent of the team, in fact, has spent time in Utah, including top-tier righthander John Lackey and rising star Casey Kotchman. But when a Big League engine hits on all cylinders — as the Angels do — extra credit
goes to the spark plugs at the top of the order. In this case, Willits and Figgins. At this writing, Figgins is batting .335 and Willits .297. Figgins is getting some mention for MVP of the American League and Willits is being touted as a possible Rookie of the Year.
"The thing I learned in Salt Lake," says Figgins, "is you have to get better every game. It doesn't matter if you're batting .315 or .399, if you want to stay up here you have to improve. That's what I do. Try to get better."
Willits went from amateur ball to professional ball when he was sent to Provo. Then he went from Salt Lake City to the Major Leagues. When asked which was the biggest adjustment, he calls it a "tricky question."
"In Provo," Willits says, "I'd never used a wooden bat before, so that was an adjustment. Coming to the Major Leagues the scouting is better. There are some quality arms in the PCL, but pitchers here are more consistent. It's hard to adjust at every level."
Willits was injured earlier in the year and said he may have tried to come back too quickly. Now, however, he is finding his stride again. Born in Chickasha, Okla., the 26-year-old batted .326 for the Bees last year and stole 31 bases. He led the team in walks and runs scored and was named to the PCL All-Star Team.
As for Figgins, he's older at 29, and has moved into the limelight more slowly. He stole 52 bases for the Angels in 2006, hit for the cycle in one game and had an inside the park home run, though his .267 was a career low. While in Salt Lake City he was named the "Best baserunner in the PCL" and set a Bees record for triples. His versatility is one reason for his success. Over the past couple of years he has played six different positions for the Angels. True to his philosophy, he has gotten better each season.
In short, as the Angel organization hoped, experience gained with the Bees has served them both well. And both have vivid memories of Franklin Covey Field.
"I have a couple of friends in Salt Lake City I still e-mail," says Figgins.
Willits remembers "a great group of coaches and great group of players" — players who "will all be up here some day," he says.
"Salt Lake was a great city with a great ballpark," he says. "That made it fun. It makes the summer fly by when you enjoy yourself."
Those who got to see Figgins and Willits play in Salt Lake City got treated to two Major League all-stars in embryo.
Now the Angels — and Angel fans — are reaping the rewards.
E-mail: jerjohn@desnews.com