TORONTO -- Blue Jays prospect Nate Pearson has known since high school that what he brought to the table was a little different than those around him.

But during the right-hander's playing days at Bishop McLaughlin Catholic High School in Spring Hill, Fla., it wasn’t the flamethrower’s fastball that he felt helped him stand out, or his 6-foot-6, 245-pound frame that set him apart -- it was Pearson’s work ethic that he believes separated him then and continues to do so now.

“I knew in high school [that I was different], because I was always the first one there, last one there,” said Pearson, who is ranked as the Blue Jays' No. 2 prospect by MLB Pipeline. “I just took it more seriously than a lot of my friends. That continued on into college and now into pro ball. That’s what I try to do, I try to be one of the hardest workers on the team, hardest worker in the [organization], and that’s what I’ve been pretty successful with since coming into pro ball.”

Pearson has found an immense amount of success in his young career so far. With time at two levels after being selected as Toronto’s first-round pick (No. 28 overall) in the MLB Draft 2017 -- and with two additional teams this season after a fractured right forearm sidelined him in 2018, the 22-year-old has compiled a 1.82 ERA over 23 starts and 69 1/3 innings with 13 walks and 93 strikeouts, while holding opponents to a .169 average.

That success led the Florida native to a selection in this year’s SiriusXM All-Star Futures Game, the prestigious event taking place during the All-Star Game festivities on Sunday, July 7, in Cleveland, allowing Pearson a chance to wear the Blue Jays uniform on a bigger stage. The All-Star Futures Game will be broadcast on MLB Network and streamed live on MLB.com.

“It means the world,” he said. “Ever since I got drafted, it was a goal of mine to participate in the Futures Game, and after being injured all of last year, I didn’t get a chance to go. Being healthy this year, I was able to get the opportunity to go, and I’m just very thankful for it. I’m happy I get to represent the Blue Jays there in Cleveland.”

Currently sidelined with a groin injury, Pearson believes he is on track to pitch in the Futures Game and he will be back on the mound ahead of the event.

Beyond his remarkable work ethic and a triple-digit fastball, one of the most impressive qualities about Pearson has been his ability to keep the ball in the strike zone, limiting walks to an incredible degree. Keeping the ball in the zone might also be easier for pitchers with 75-grade fastballs, but Pearson insists he hasn’t been blowing guys away with his heater that reached up to 104 mph in the Arizona Fall League.

And though Pearson has shown elite command throughout his time in the professional realm, he credits an adjustment to pitching solely out of the stretch in the Arizona Fall League last year for his numbers.

“I throw pretty hard, but these hitters are starting to get pretty good here in Double-A, so they’re prepared whenever they face 100, or anything above that,” he said. “I’ve really fine-tuned that and worked on fastball command this year. Since I go only out of the stretch and don’t have a windup anymore, that played a big role in how well I’ve been able to throw strikes this year.”

Pearson’s Surprise Saguaros teammate Cavan Biggio saw a noticeable change in Pearson after the league’s Fall Stars Game, and Biggio, the Blue Jays' No. 8 prospect who was promoted to the Major League club earlier this season, can’t wait to see what more the future has in store.

“He realized he needs to start mixing in some more sliders and curveballs, and that’s when he started having some more success, and that’s when his fastball started playing in more,” Biggio said. “When he realized that he can’t just blow it by everybody -- even if you’re throwing 103, 104 miles an hour -- he started mixing his pitches better.

“He’s going to be very good for a very long time because he’s been developing those pitches, and now he knows how to be a pitcher and not just a thrower.”

Though the organization has limited the number of innings Pearson will throw this year, he is looking forward to getting out on the mound more during what he hopes to be a healthy second half of the season. And watching his former teammates on display in Toronto has made him even more eager to work his way to the Majors sooner than later.

“It’s been so cool to see Vladdy [Guerrero Jr.] and Cavan, and all of them doing what they do best -- they just perform,” Pearson said. “Being able to play with them in the Fall League, it’s really special to be able to share that memory with them. Hopefully I get to join them soon enough, but I couldn’t be more happy for them and all the successes they’re having up there.”

Smoak returns to lineup

The Blue Jays activated first baseman Justin Smoak from the injured list ahead of Friday’s game against the Royals, slotting him into the No. 6 spot in the batting order for the series opener. Smoak had been sidelined with a left quad strain. Billy McKinney was optioned to Triple-A Buffalo in a corresponding roster move.