Padres #3 prospect to miss 2013 season

July 9, 2012; Kansas City, MO, USA; World outfielder Rymer Liriano (28) at bat in the seventh inning of the 2012 All Star Futures Game at Kauffman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports

The Padres have a great deal of potential surroundin their prospects. Among them is number three prospect Rymer Liriano. Liriano was added to the 40-man roster in the outfield in the off-season and was expected to attempt to make the team this spring. Last season he hit .280 with an on-base percentage of .350 and a slugging percentage of .417. He hit32 doubles and 8 home runs, driving in 61 runs. He was named the Mid West League MVP in 2011. He followed that up by being a California League All-Star and a Arizona Fall League Rising Stars participant in 2012. The Padres have been patiently waiting for Liriano to fill out and to bring his talent to the majors. But they’ll have to keep waiting.

It was confirmed yesterday that Liriano will have reconstructive Tommy John’s surgery on his elbow. He sustained the injury while playing long toss in the Domican Republic back in late December.

Liriano is a guy that Bud Black has had his eye on over the last few years. Black told the Padres official website that the injury “was a bummer,” and that Liriano “made great strides last year.”

The Padres have set a six month timetable for Liriano’s return and are hopeful that he’ll be swinging a bat by then and be able to play in the Arizona Fall League and the Dominican Winter League. His injury is an unlikely one for the Padres but one that they should be able to live with.

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