Mike Segar / REUTERS

Danny Almonte, whose perfect game in the 2001 Little League World Series was wiped out because he was too old, is now playing for an 18-and-under Connie Mack League team in Miami.

Diaz also points out that Almonte remains a story because his eye-catching talent as a baseball player makes him more than just a historical footnote.

“You look on TV and they’ll talk about him being in the top 10 scandals in sports,” Diaz says. “You go on the Internet and you type up players from Santo Domingo and you get Sammy, Pedro and Danny Almonte.”

Off the field, the slim, curly haired Almonte is a typical kid. He plays video games, hangs out by the pool with his friends and listens to reggaeton. He is serious in conversation, but he smiles widely when asked about high school girls and often jokes with Diaz, who has earned his trust.

Almonte says he misses his mother, who separated from his father years ago.

“I’ve always said the most important thing in my life is family, your parents. I’m closer to my mother, but I also care for my father because he’s raising me,” Almonte said, in a rare moment when he let his guard down.

Almonte says his favorite player is Ken Griffey Jr., and his batting stance resembles that of the Cincinnati Reds slugger. He says Griffey called him during the World Series with advice.

“He asked me how I was doing. He told me to keep moving forward,” Almonte said.

Almonte is trying to again prove himself on the field. At 5-foot-11, 150-plus pounds, the lefty is working to gain muscle and improve his arm strength while targeting next year’s draft. His fastball approached 82 mph at a recent practice, but Fernandez and Diaz said that will improve with more mound work.

Fernandez, who scouts players year-round and brings in top high schoolers from other states, recalls the day a few weeks ago when he and an assistant coach first saw Almonte.

“We said ‘We’ll go see him, but he has to be ready to throw,”’ Fernandez said. “We show up, and the kid ... is at 88 to 91, left-handed, and he’s blowing guys away. His breaking ball was 76, 77.

“That day we said, ‘Hey, this guy can definitely pitch.”’

Fernandez does temper his enthusiasm with reality. The Bombers are a first-rate team, and Fernandez mentions four names when describing his pitching staff before getting to Almonte. He’s not sure if jealousy will form if Almonte gets all the attention.

“They see the media at the practices. It’s exciting, fresh and new for them,” Fernandez says. “After a while, it’s natural for the other kids to say, ‘Look at me.’ All the guys on our team are pretty confident. It’s too early to tell what direction this is going to go.”

Diaz says this summer will be important for Almonte, but the teenager coolly brushes off a question about pressure.

“With all that has happened to me, it’s no big deal,” Almonte says, leaning back in his chair. “I’ve learned how to deal with pressure. No pressure.”

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