Perdomo performs on Futures Game stage

CINCINNATI -- Trying so hard to impress the scouts that were scouring the Dominican Republic for talent five years ago, Luis Perdomo was too occupied with his swing to let the suggestion sink in.

It came from a Giants scout, who, seeing Perdomo's strong outfield arm but also the holes in his swing, suggested that the teenager give pitching a try. Perdomo didn't offer much of a reaction at the time.

"I didn't think about anything," Perdomo said, "because I was just trying to bat."

When the tryout ended, however, Perdomo realized the opportunity before him. He didn't have the offensive skill set to carry him through the professional ranks, so he started to see what he could do from the mound.

Five years later, Perdomo showcased how far he's come. Pitching for the World Team in the bottom of the eighth in Sunday's SiriusXM All-Star Futures Game, which the U.S. team won, 10-1, Perdomo gave a larger audience a glimpse at what he's been showcasing all season for Class A Peoria.

"It's a great opportunity to be here, a great experience," Perdomo said. "Thanks to God for letting me be here."

Entering with one out, Perdomo induced a flyout, allowed a triple and then closed his appearance with a strikeout.

Perdomo learned four days ago that he'd be representing the Cardinals in the showcase game, his invite coming after the organization had to pull pitching prospect Alex Reyes from the roster while Reyes deals with shoulder soreness. Though he doesn't rank on MLBPipeline.com's Top 30 Cardinals Prospects list, Perdomo has shined during the first half of the season.

Back at Peoria, where he started 11 games a year ago, Perdomo has posted a 2.79 ERA, struck out 76 and walked 26 over 77 1/3 innings in 13 starts.

"Luis moved into the Peoria rotation in April and has proven he can pitch to the Midwest League level," said Gary LaRocque, the Cardinals' director of player development. "Using a three-pitch mix, his fastball shows good life, [mixes] in a hard curveball and a developing changeup with the ability to get ground-ball outs. He's learning the importance of fastball command and controlling counts using his secondary pitches as well."

Perdomo, who said his concentration has improved this year, has also benefited from a series of mechanical changes. By altering his arm slot, Perdomo now releases his fastball and offspeed pitches from the same place. It increases the guesswork for hitters.

"There were big changes," Perdomo said. "Better changeup. Better curveball. Now I'm throwing them better."