Francisco Liriano
From BR Bullpen
Francisco Casillas Liriano (The Cisco Kid, The Franchise)
- Bats Left, Throws Left
- Height 6' 2", Weight 185 lb.
- Debut September 5, 2005
- Born October 26, 1983 in San Cristobal, D.R.
[edit] Biographical Information
Pitcher Francisco Liriano was signed by scout Rick Ragazzo for the San Francisco Giants in September 2000. He made his pro debut the next summer. Liriano was one of three top pitching prospects the Twins pried away from the Giants when they traded C A.J. Pierzynski to them after the 2003 season; the others were Joe Nathan and Boof Bonser.
Liriano went 12-3 with a 2.16 ERA as a rookie with the Minnesota Twins in 2006 and being named to the All-Star team. At that point he was considered the heir-apparent to Johan Santana as the Twins' ace of the future. However, he developed an elbow injury, causing his season to end early.
Liriano missed all of 2007 after undergoing Tommy John surgery. Upon his return in 2008, he started 0-3 with an 11.32 ERA; he was sent to the minors, then was much better when he came back, ending the season 6-4, 3.91.
Liriano spent all of 2009 with the Twins, but struggled unsuccessfully to regain his form. He made 29 appearances - 24 of them starts - but went 5-13, 5.80, nearly costing the Twins a shot at the postseason. He was no longer in the starting rotation for the ALDS and gave up two runs in two innings in relief against the New York Yankees. One positive sign was that he did strike out 122 batters in 136.2 innings, against 65 walks, but his command was still wanting. It was a completely different story when 2010 rolled around. He started the year 3-0, 0.93 in April and was named the American League Pitcher of the Month. He finished the season 14-10, 3.62, with 201 strikeouts and won the American League Comeback Player of the Year Award.
Liriano struggled early on in 2011. In April, he was 1-4 with a 9.13 ERA and fought with his mechanics. He turned the ship right around in his next start on May 3rd when he threw the first complete game and shutout of his career in no-hitting the Chicago White Sox, 1-0. He still had problems with his control, however, as he walked six batters and threw only 66 of 123 pitches for strikes, but his defense turned three double plays and a number of gems behind him to help him escape and make Jason Kubel's solo homer in the 4th stand up. The last Twins pitcher to hurl a no-hitter had been Eric Milton in 1999. Liriano's next start was delayed by two days by a bout with the flu, then he had to take himself out of the game in the 3rd inning on May 10, feeling ill on a muggy night. The Twins lost 10-2 to the Detroit Tigers as he gave up 4 runs, including a 2-run homer to Jhonny Peralta. On May 30th, he was placed on the disabled list retroactive to May 23rd with inflammation in his shoulder; he was 3-5, 5.73 at the time. Shortly after his return, he pitched another great game on June 12th, when he held the Texas Rangers hitless until the 8th, on his way to a 6-1 win in which he gave up only 2 hits in 8 innings. That game was arguably better than his no-hitter, as he walked none and struck out 9. On August 25th, he left a start against the Baltimore Orioles after only two innings complaining of a shoulder strain. He was immediately placed on the disabled list. He was 9-9 with a 4.84 ERA at the time and was the third Twins starter to be placed on the DL, joining Nick Blackburn and Scott Baker as the Twins struggled with health issues.
[edit] Notable Achievements
- 2006 Topps All-Star Rookie Team
- AL All-Star (2006)
- 2010 AL Comeback Player of the Year
- AL Winning Percentage Leader (2006)
- 200 Strikeouts Seasons: 1 (2010)
