As the end of the season approaches a number of teams are looking to call up prospects to give them some major league experience before the start of next season. We could see some of the best young talent in the country in the coming weeks.
On Sunday the San Diego Padres announced they will promote their No. 6 prospect Rymer Liriano on Monday to play against the Colorado Rockies. The 23-year-old outfielder has played 99 games in Double-A San Antonio and 16 games in Triple-A El Paso, combining for a .291 average, 14 home runs, 66 RBIs, and 20 stolen bases. He was pulled from Sunday's game in Triple-A El Paso and was told he would be joining the Padres lineup on Monday night. Many say the move is for development purposes rather than one of immediate impact.
"Liriano is not a savior. The timing of his promotion should save him the trouble of such pressures, too," writes Jeff Sanders of the San Diego Union-Times. "The Padres have already swapped general managers. They've already shipped their priciest pending free agents out of town."
Also in the National League, the Washington Nationals called up outfielder Michael A. Taylor on Saturday after just four games in Triple-A Syracuse. Taylor was promoted from Double-A Harrisburg after 98 games with a .313 average, 22 home runs, 61 RBIs and 34 stolen bases. He has hit safely in his first four games at Syracuse, going 5-for-13 with a single, three doubles, a triple, two RBIs and a stolen base. The Nats will use Taylor to replace an ailing Jayson Werth in right field (sprained ankle and hurt right shoulder) and an injured Steven Souza, Jr. And with Bryce Harper struggling, Washington could use a boost in their lineup to maintain their lead in the NL East.
In the American League, the Texas Rangers have been rumored to consider calling up prospect Joey Gallo to assess the team's future at third base. Adrian Beltre is under contract through 2015, but if Gallo can prove he's MLB-ready, Texas can save some money with his promotion and either trade Beltre next year or let him walk after the 2015 season. Gallo has appeared in 110 games total for Advanced Class-A Myrtle Beach and Double-A Frisco and has amassed a .289 average with 38 home runs, 95 RBIs and a .409 on-base percentage. Texas GM Jon Daniels told ESPN.com's Jim Bowden on Sirius XM Radio that Gallo will likely be called up next year, but anything can happen with a month and a half remaining in the season.
Keep up with the latest baseball news on ESPN's MLB Rumors page.
