White Sox claim outfielder Rymer Liriano off waivers

The White Sox made a move today by picking up outfielder Rymer Liriano off waivers from the Milwaukee Brewers.

Liriano, 25, originally came up through the Padres organization. He was listed as a top 100 prospect by Baseball America for the 2012 season and by MLB.com and Baseball Prospectus for 2012 and 2013. Liriano has primarily been a right fielder in the minors, but has some experience in center field as well. At 6’0” and 240 lbs., I’d expect to see Liriano as a corner outfielder, but you never can tell. Overall in the minors, he’s hit a decent .277/.350/.435 across all levels with 68 homers in 3099 PAs although that didn’t seem to translate as well to the majors where he hit .220/.289/.266 in 38 games for the Padres in 2014.

Liriano was acquired by the Brewers during last offseason, after being DFA’d when the Padres signed Alexei Ramirez. Liriano didn’t play last season after being hit by a pitch in spring training.

Liriano suffered multiple facial fractures. While these were the immediate impact of the injury, the White Sox press release neglected to mention the concussion symptoms that were still troubling Liriano as late as August when the Brewers finally shut him down for the season. Liriano has started playing winter ball for Licey in the Dominican League and has been playing left field, so there’s something to monitor there.

With this move, the White Sox 40-man roster goes to 40. As for upcoming dates, all option decisions must be made by three days after the completion of the World Series and all QOs must be made by six days after.