San Diego Padres to call up top prospect Rymer Liriano
By Mike Marteny
U-T San Diego has reported that the San Diego Padres will call up one of their top prospects in right fielder Rymer Liriano prior to Monday’s game at Petco Park.
More from MLB
- Braves get dose of bad news on Max Fried as ace nears return
- Shohei Ohtani trade rumors live tracker: Every update so far
- MLB Rumors: Yankees mistake, Cardinals trade package, Cubs choice
- Inside the Clubhouse: What I’m hearing ahead of the MLB Trade Deadline
- After frantic trade day, Kiké Hernandez grateful for second chance with Dodgers
Liriano was one of the top prospects in the Padres’ system after an very good 2012 campaign in which he hit .280 with eight home runs, 61 RBI, and 32 stolen bases between High-A Lake Elsinore and AA San Antonio. His 2013 season was derailed by Tommy John surgery, but he arrived ready for 2014, and was assigned to AA San Antonio once again to see if he could pick up where he left off in 2012.
He hit .264 with 14 home runs, 53 RBI and 17 stolen bases in 99 games at San Antonio before he was promoted to AAA El Paso. At El Paso, he has been tearing apart the Pacific Coast League, hitting .467 with 11 doubles, 13 RBI, and three steals in 15 games.
His overall numbers of .292-14-66-20 all but assured him a call up come September 1st, but the Padres have decided to use his blistering hot streak at AAA to see if he can do it at the major league level. There is a good chance that Liriano will be the starting right fielder for the rest of the season with Chris Denorfia shipped up to Seattle at the deadline.
Liriano has been in the Padres’ system since he was 17 years old in 2008. Over his six minor league seasons, he has compiled a .275 batting average with 141 doubles, 25 triples, 54 home runs, 314 RBI, and 172 stolen bases. He has the looks of a guy who can be a force at the top of San Diego’s lineup for several years. We will find out come Monday, when he will likely make his major league debut against the Colorado Rockies.