It was the most economical out of Reyes’ appearance. And it’s something that he clearly has on his mind as he described how he’s trying to improve at Class AAA Memphis.

“As a pitcher I try to maintain the mentality of ‘It’s just baseball (at every level),’” said Reyes, is 2-1 with a 4.35 ERA and 61 strikeouts in 41 1/3 innings for the Redbirds. “If I make my pitch I should be able to get guys out. I know my fastball is pretty good. Being able to keep it down in the zone I feel I’ll be able to get guys out.”

Although he was born and raised in New Jersey, Reyes pitched for the World team because the Cardinals signed him as an international amateur out of the Dominican Republic. With his family unable to afford sending him to showcases and tryouts, he had to move to get more attention from scouts, and he explained Sunday it made more sense to live with a grandma in the Dominican, where scouts swarmed. Reyes elected a year ago to pitch for the World team, though he was unable to because of an injury. This year he said wearing the Dominican flag on his jersey was a chance to "honor" his parents and pitch for the Dominican while father sat in the stands at Petco Park.