Padres’ Minor League Roundup for August 10th

Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports

Yesterday it was announced that top Padres prospect Rymer Liriano will be called up to the Major Leagues. Liriano is currently the no. 6 prospect in the Padres system. He is only the second highest rated outfield prospect behind 2013 first round pick Hunter Renfroe. His lower ranking is more due to circumstance than ability. Liriano is touted for his five-tool athletic ability and was on the fast track to the majors going into last year’s Spring Training, but missed that entire 2013 season due to needing Tommy John surgery, which is an injury position players get very often. After rehabbing all of last year, the Padres organization wasn’t sure how he would respond and whether he would be the same player.

Liriano put that to rest. Liriano started the season at Double-A San Antonio where in 99 games owned a triple slash line of .264/.335/.442 with 20 2B, 2 3B, 14 HR, and 53 RBI. Although not at Tony Gwynn status, he has a K:BB ration of 1.9:1, which is great to see for a young prospect. He still has room for improvement, but compared to recently promoted top Cubs prospect Javier Baez, I don’t see Liriano having a ton of 4 K nights at the dish. Let’s take a look down on the farm and see how the rest of the future Padres are doing.

Mandatory Credit: John Williams

Triple-A: El Paso Chihuahuas (30-32)

The Chihuahuas are in the middle of a rare five-game series. They won the first 3 games against Salt Lake Bees, but had their 4-game win streak snapped against the Bees last night with a final score of 5-7. Last night, Taylor Lindsey went 0-for-3 lowering his batting to .208 since coming over in the Houston Street trade with the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. Lindsey has not been himself since joining El Paso. He had hit at every level as he progress through the Angeles system, but his success at the plater has severely stalled since the trade. Before the trade he had a triple slash line of .247/.323/.400 as a member of the Salt Lake Bees. So he is still in the same league playing against similar opponents, which causes for a scratching of the head. Could it be the pressure of being a key piece of a trade? Could it be adjusting to a new environment? Not entirely sure, but he will need to turn it around if he want to be promoted before the end of the year, and have a shot to make the Major League squad out of Spring Training next year.

Future Friar of the Game

Jace Peterson: 2-for-5, 2 2B, 1 R

Future Friar of the Game

Taylor Lindsey: 0-for-3, 1 BB

Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Double-A: San Antonio Missions (59-61)

The San Antonio Missions lost the rubber game of a three-game series against the Northwest Arkansas Naturals 5-1. The Missions had a decent showing from the systems top prospects; Cory Spangenberg, Austin Hedges, and Hunter Renfroe. Spangenberg and Renfroe both went 2-for-4 and Hedges went 1-for-4 on the night. All three of these prospects I believe still have a solid year of seasoning (barring significant injuries) before they see the Majors on a regular basis. Neither of them have played about the Double-A level and so it will be interesting to see how their bats respond as there are promoted and start playing against Triple-A competition. Hedges is already defensive ready. He has been complimented by many scouts throughout baseball with his defense, ability to call and game and work with pitchers, and his cannon of an arm to throw out would be base stealers. My guess is we will see these three as late season call-ups in 2015.

Future Friar of the Game

Hunter Renfroe: 2-for-4, 1 2B

Future Friar of the Game

Casey McElroy: 2-for-3, 2 K

Mandatory Credit: Emily Jones/MiLB.com

Single-A: Lake Elsinore Storm (66-54)

The Lake Elsinore Storm defeated the High Desert Mavericks 7-1 last night in The Diamond in Lake Elsinore. Lake Elsinore start Colin Rea bounced back with a great start after allowing 10 ER over his previous 2 starts. Rea pitched 5 shutout innings allowing 3 hits, walking none, and strikeout out 3. His ERA currently sits at 3.79 on the season with yesterday’s win propelling his into the double digits with his 10^th victory.

ON the offensive side of the ball; Luis Domoromo had a great night at the plate going 2-for-3 with 2 doubles and 2 RBI. On the season he now owns a triple slash line of .276/.318/.440. Domoromo is still a few years away from making his major league debut, but is part of the very strong farm system that the Padres should soon benefit from with the next season or so.

Future Friar of the Game

Luis Domoromo: 2-for-3, 2 2B, 2 RBI, 2 R

Future Friar of the Game

Benji Gonzalez: 0-for-3, 1 BB

Mandatory Credit: milb.com

Single-A: Fort Wayne TinCaps (52-66)

The Fort Wayne TinCaps were outhit by the Lake County Captains 15-11 resulting in a losing score of 12-6. 2014 first round pick Trea Turner continued his terror at the plate going 3-for-5 on the season including a solo home run in the 5^th innings. Turner fell in the draft due to question marks associated with his bat, but he has put those questions marks since being drafted. Turner has already been promoted once and may see one more before the end of the season. Turner has been destroying this completion since joining Fort Wayne. He owns a triple slash line of .431/.496/.642. As a lifelong Padres fan it is awesome to see a first round pick has so much success so early in his professional development. This may be one of the few first round picks to have a successful Major League career for the Padres.

Fort Wayne LF Mick Schultz also had a great night at the plate going 1-for-3 with a 2B and 2 RBI on the night. Schultz is quietly also having a great season. He owns a triple slash line of .307/.358/.500 on the season after being promoted for Class-A Eugene.

Future Friar of the Game

Trea Turner: 3-for-5, 1 HR, 1 RBI, 2 R

Future Friar of the Game

Franmil Reyes: 0-for-5, 1 K