Francisco Liriano - Minnesota Twins

Minnesota Twins

Liriano signed with the San Francisco Giants as an international free agent in 2000. He was traded to the Minnesota Twins along with pitchers Joe Nathan and Boof Bonser in exchange for catcher A. J. Pierzynski. Often compared to former teammate Johan Santana, another hard-throwing lefty, Liriano was touted as one of the "super-prospects" within the Twins organization. In 2005, he led all minor league pitchers in strikeouts, with 204. He made his major league debut in relief on September 5, 2005, against the Texas Rangers. He later joined the Twins' starting rotation and won his first game on September 30, 2005, against the Detroit Tigers. Liriano started the 2006 season in Minnesota's bullpen, but was promoted to the starting rotation in May, exchanging positions with struggling starter Carlos Silva. He won each of his first three starts.