GOODYEAR, AZ – Entering his final year of playing baseball for Millennium High School, Alex Figueroa is unquestionably one of the team’s premier leaders. Since arriving at Millennium, he has developed ntangible skills and physical talents to grow into one of the best players that the Tigers have to offer.

Figueroa hopes to lead the Tigers to a successful 2019 season. They are looking to rectify their quick loss in last season’s playoffs with a deep run this time around.

“He’s always been driven and locked in,” said teammate Tim Jordan. “He’s always in the moment … most of the time, he’s focused in the game and telling other people to make sure they’re focusing.”

“He’s a good leader,” said teammate Deon Reese. “He’s always that guy that you can go to, to talk about anything about baseball to whatever you’re doing like other problems you’re having outside of baseball.”

Reese has been a close friend of Figueroa’s since middle school when they played against each other.

While some may point to Figueroa’s natural ability as a large reason for his success, it would be a mistake not to consider the hard work and determination that he has put in to improve each season. With knowledge gained from senior mentors and a drive to physically improve, Figueroa’s statistics have grown exponentially in each successive season.

He had a batting average of .288 and 19 hits in his freshman year. Those numbers are dwarfed in comparison to his junior year numbers: a batting average of .495 and 47 hits.

“The hardest thing to overcome is playing every single day and not letting ourselves think that we’re better than what we really are,” said Figueroa. “It’s to make sure that we work hard every single day.”

Figueroa’s Tiger teammates have played a large role in his development as well.

“I’ve learned from the guys before me how to handle myself on and off the field,” said Figueroa. “I don’t take stuff personal from coaches, learn from my mistakes instead of being down on myself.”

Figueroa is now in the same position that his former mentors once held. He aims to carry on this tradition to the younger members of the club.

Figueroa’s mother, Denise Figueroa, has noticed her son’s growth and loves that he has the chance to mentor the younger players like he once was.

“I’m really proud when I see the leadership on the field,” she said.

Figueroa looks to continue his success after his final season at Millennium. He is currently committed to playing for Phoenix College, a two-year school. He is looking forward to the new challenges that playing at the next level will bring.

“I’m really excited to go on baseball-wise with my career … The fact that I’m able to go play at the next level is great for me, no matter what level it’s at, especially at a place like PC,” said Figueroa

Teammate Tim Jordan is highly optimistic that Figueroa has what it takes to have success at the next level.

“I think he’ll produce pretty good and, hopefully, he’ll transfer out to a D1 school, which I think he could do,” said Jordan. He puts in a lot of work with baseball, so I think he’ll be pretty successful over there.”

Ultimately, all the hard work and perseverance through obstacles has led to great success and respect earned from many peers. But, at the core of that success is a ballplayer who has an unabashed love to play the game. No matter who the opposition is or what is on the line, Figueroa wants to be there.

“I just really want to play baseball for as long as I can," he said.