CHICAGO -- Righthander J.D. Durbin, perhaps the Twins' top pitching prospect, came on with two outs and one on in the fifth inning and struck out Felix Pie of the World Team in Sunday's All-Star Futures Game at U.S. Cellular Field.

Durbin knew he wouldn't get a full inning of work, but thought he'd get to pitch to two batters.

"I worked up a sweat running in from the bullpen," said Durbin, who is 1-2 with a 3.24 ERA at Class AA New Britain.

The U.S. team of top minor league talent won the game 3-2 on Stephen Smitherman's sixth-inning home run.

Durbin was 9-2 with a 3.09 ERA at Class A Fort Myers before being promoted a month ago. When he arrived at New Britain, someone had written "Real Deal" over his name above his stall.

A second-round pick in the 2000 draft, Durbin blew into the Twins organization supremely confident in his abilities. He earned the nickname after his first pro inning, during which he struck out two batters, walked to the bench and said, "Told you all I was the real deal. I don't mess around."

When told that his nickname has been reported in the Twin Cities media, Durbin threw his head back and laughed. He blamed third base coach Al Newman, who has mimicked his mannerisms, for spreading the word.

"When I came out of high school, I was the best pitcher in the state [Arizona] and had a big head," Durbin said. "I've gotten a lot better, and I think everyone will vouch for that."

Durbin's fastball can reach 90 miles per hour, and he throws a slurve -- a cross between a slider and curve. What has impressed the Twins is that he has backed up some of his talk, although he needs to use his changeup more.

"He has a lot of talent, not just physically but mentally," said Twins scouting director Mike Radcliff. "He's showing pitching ability. He's showing mound presence. He's figuring out how to get it done. He's still power oriented but is making progress toward becoming a full pitcher."

Catching prospect Joe Mauer is among Durbin's friends at New Britain. The two will stick around for Tuesday's All-Star Game.

"I'd like to have a nickname like that," Mauer said. "It's pretty good."

Durbin's reply: "He's too shy to have a nickname like that."

Brainstorming

It's no secret that the Twins are looking for talent to re-energize their offense. A few club officials have arrived in Chicago for what's expected to be more than casual chatting.

Joining General Manager Terry Ryan are Radcliff and pro scouting coordinator Vern Followell.

Quick steal

Mauer pretended to be irked because Ramon Nivar stole third base on him in the first inning. Mauer couldn't believe that former Twin Tony Oliva, who was managing the World Team, would run on him.

"What was up with that?" Mauer said while grinning. "I'm going to have to ask him about that."

Nivar led off the game with a double and stole third when USA pitcher Neal Cotts threw a curveball.

"If it would have been a fastball, I would have thrown him out," said Mauer.

Oliva said he wasn't trying to show Mauer up on national television.

"I would never do that. He has too strong of an arm," Oliva said. "[Nivar] is very fast and he had the green light."

Oliva said he wants another chance to manage in the game because his team lost, but he had a good time.

"These are all good young players," Oliva said. "I didn't have to work that hard. I just pushed the buttons."

Castillo replaces Giles

Florida's Luis Castillo was named to the National League All-Star team Sunday, replacing injured Atlanta second baseman Marcus Giles.

Castillo, a switch-hitting second baseman, has 14 stolen bases and is hitting .314 with six homers and 26 RBI. He will make his second consecutive All-Star appearance.

Giles sustained a concussion Friday in a collision on the basepaths with Chicago pitcher Mark Prior.

Prior, also an All-Star, bruised his right shoulder but threw in the outfield Sunday and said he's OK to pitch if needed Tuesday.