Francisco Liriano: Fidrych of the 21st Century?

Two years ago Francisco Liriano was it. At least, he was it if you asked a Minnesota Twins fan, and while his 37 major league starts may not be too many to judge on, I’m going to judge anyways: Liriano is a bust.

That’s not to say he was always a bust — after 2006 he was “the shiz”, as the kids say. Unfortunately, having reconstructive surgery on your throwing elbow can have a hell of an effect on your throwing. Don’t believe me? Ask Mark Fidrych. Of course, Fidrych’s story is one of tragedy and human error on the part of the doctors who never found the torn rotator cuff. A cosmic case of “what the deuce?” if I ever heard of one.

Regardless, coming back from any major surgery on your throwing arm is something that most pitchers never do. Not to the skill level they were prior, in any case. Liriano looks to be similar. A one-hit wonder who had an amazing, albeit brief 2006, before going down to injury. Kind of like Mark Prior, only without the repetition. But maybe his time in the minors will do him good. Maybe a good stint in the AA league will wake him up, and bring back the beast of a thrower within.

But I hope not. Because the AL Central is being rough on my Tigers as it is.