Padres Continue to See Luis Perdomo Improve

The Padres knew they had an electric talent when they took Luis Perdomo in the Rule 5 draft this winter. He struggled early, prompting the Padres to most likely question that pick.

However, they stuck with him and since becoming a regular in the rotation by necessity has really been figuring things out. He pitched well again Tuesday, though took the 3-2 loss to the Reds.

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Just 23 years old, the Padres knew that Perdomo had an electric fastball and working on a great sinker. That sinker has been in full effect since getting more chances to use it in the starting rotation. Tuesday he recorded 9 groundouts to just two fly outs with that sinker. Perdomo talked about his sinker:

“It’s getting better every day. All my pitches are. One thing I need to focus on [later in games] is staying on top of my pitches and finishing.”

He also through a career high 113 pitches on the night. For the season, his ERA is still an ugly 6.67 with a 5-5 record. That barely tells the true story.

Through April and May when he was used primarily as a reliever, he managed to allow 29 runs in 26 innings. He transitioned in June and made 5 starts, still allowing 21 runs in 27 innings. For July and his first start in August, he has allowed 16 runs in 36 innings pitched. He has also seen his K/9 ratio decrease but still sports a season long K/9 ratio of 7.2.

The biggest mistake of the night was a home run he allowed to Ryan Braun, which Andy Green reflected on after the game: “The one pitch he probably wants back is first-pitch breaking ball to Braun — probably wasn’t our greatest pitch selection. But you look through a whole game and you criticize 113 pitches and you pick on one? That’s pretty good, especially from a young guy on the mound.”.

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Brewer Manager Craig Counsell put it more bluntly: “Perdomo was pretty good tonight. His sinker was good. But Brauny got a slider. That’s why Brauny’s really good.”

Edwin Jackson takes the mound for the Padres Wednesday as they look to win the series. He does not figure to be part of the Padres future unless they really just need some bodies to take up innings next season. Luis Perdomo does figure to be a part of the future, and he took another step forward Tuesday night in San Diego.