Padres Luis Perdomo Hoping to Make Quick Impact

While Rule 5 draftee Jabari Blash hopes to crack the Padres starting outfield, another Rule 5 draft pick this off-season is hoping to make the major league club in the rotation or the bullpen despite never pitching above A. Despite those long odds, the Padres are high on what they see in Luis Perdomo.

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Perdomo came over from the Cardinals at the end of the Winter Meetings and scouts are high on what they see in his arm and mound presence. Perdomo was one of the prospects at the Padres recent mini-camp and pitching coach Darren Balsley was very impressed with what he saw:

"“There’s no reason in the world why this kid won’t pitch in the big leagues, from what I’ve seen on video. He has a good arm stroke, good velocity and his secondary pitches are good. It’s just a matter of him executing those pitches.”"

Perdomo had a great season in the Cardinals season last year, even pitching in the MLB Futures Game and topping out at 97 MPH. As a Rule 5 draft pick he has to last in the major leagues all season or else he goes back to the Cardinals, but GM A.J. Preller also sees optimism that this kid might make that jump. Where he will end up remains to be seen. A.J. Preller says he will get a chance to start in Spring Training. “We’ve seen him start. He has a really good arm. It’s going to be a jump, but he’s got talent, and that’s a good place to start from.”

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Perdomo is just excited about the opportunity and knows that his future is bright no matter where he ends up this season. All he can do is keep pitching. He is saying all the right things:

“I’m excited for the opportunity. It’s a chance to showcase what I can do. There’s a lot of work to be done. But I’m very excited. I’m very blessed for the opportunity to be here.”

Pitchers report to Peoria February 16th.

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