San Diego Padres DFA Jeff Francoeur to make room for Rymer Liriano
By Joel Burdeos
San Diego, CA- The San Diego Padres have designated for assignment outfielder Jeff Francoeur to make room for recently re-called prospect Rymer Liriano from Triple-A El Paso.
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Francoeur was called-up to the Padres last month, after Cameron Maybin was suspended 25-games by Major League Baseball for amphetamine use. Unfortunately for Francoeur he was the low man on the totem pole. Despite an excellent season in Triple-A, Francoeur was unable to convert his success to the big leagues as he batted only .083 with seven strikeouts in 28 at-bats for the Padres.
Yesterday it was reported by UT-San Diego’s Jeff Sanders that the Padres are promoting their top positional prospect.
Rymer Liriano has for years been projected as one of the Padres top prospects and was expected to be the team’s starting right fielder last season, before Tommy John Surgery knocked him out for the entire season.
The Padres didn’t plan to rush Liriano to the Big Leagues this season and honestly most Padres fans didn’t expect to see him till next season. Yet this season Liriano has surpassed everyone’s expectations and picked up right where he left off in 2012 when he was the Padres Top Prospects.
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Rymer Liriano began the season in Double-A San Antonio, where he hit .264 with 14 home runs and 53 RBI’s before being called up to Triple-A El Paso last month. Liriano has had little issue adjusting to the new level, batting .467 with 11 doubles, one triple and 13 RBIs in 16 games for El Paso.
Liriano with his performance in Triple-A all but guaranteed a September call-up, but instead the Padres have decided to call him up early to give him a couple months to show off his abilities. Liriano will be given every opportunity this season and next spring to win the Padres starting right-fielder job.