At a time when there isn’t much good news coming out of the Dodgers camp, it’s good to see that there is at least some – even if it may be too little too late.

As has been well documented over on the ThinkBlueLA forum by Harold Uhlman (Bluenose Dodger), left-handed pitcher Steven “Paco” Rodriguez is the first player selected in the 2012 First Year Player Draft (2nd round – 82nd overall pick) to make it to the Major Leagues, having done so on Sunday, September 9, 2012 in his Major League debut against the hated Giants at AT&T Park. The 21-year-old Miami native faced one batter (Brandon Belt) and got him to ground out to Dodgers first baseman Adrian Gonzalez on three pitches. Rodriguez made his second appearance two days later at Chase Field and again faced only one batter, power-hitter Jason Kubel, striking him out on three pitches.

Steven ‘Paco” Rodriguez is handed the ball by Dodgers manager Don Mattingly in his Major League debut against the Giants at AT&T Park on September 9, 2012. Rodriguez faced Giants first baseman Brandon Belt, who grounded out on three pitches. (Photo credit – Jon SooHoo)

Now I’m certainly no baseball scout, but based on what I saw of Rodriguez (which is exactly six MLB pitches), I am willing to go out on a limb here and say that this kid has the right stuff and is here to stay with the Dodgers – not simply because he is a much needed left-hander, but because he is a much needed left-hander with a very unorthodox delivery and nasty stuff. And even though Rodriguez was drafted by the Dodgers as a situational lefty, I honestly believe that he will eventually be used as a middle reliever capable of going multiple innings, if needed.

Paco’s unorthodox ‘hanging out there’ delivery is very deceiving for hitters. Seen here in his second MLB appearance on Tuesday evening against the Diamondbacks, he stuck out power-hitting left fielder Jason Kubel on three pitches. (Photo credit – Ron Cervenka)

Rodriguez is by no means a power pitcher but (as noted) he has a very unorthodox “hanging out there” delayed delivery that is extremely deceptive to hitters because it throws their timing off. And though his fastball is generally in the low 90s, it has a great deal of movement on it. He also has a very good slider that is extremely difficult for both left-handed and right-handed batters to get a bat on and I anticipate that this will be his strike out pitch.

Rodriguez is one of seven top Dodgers prospects slated to represent the organization in the 2012 Arizona Fall League, which begins action on October 9th. Joining Rodriguez will be fellow pitchers Red Patterson and Eric Eadington, outfielders Yasiel Puig and Joc Pederson, Infielder Rafael Ynoa, and catcher Gorman “Griff” Erickson. It is here that I believe the conversion from situational lefty to middle reliever will take place under the watchful eye of Quakes pitching coach and former Dodgers reliever Matt Herges, who will also be attending the AFL as the pitching coach for the Mesa Solar Sox, for whom all seven Dodgers prospects will play.

Although Paco has only made two very brief MLB appearances since his September 5th call-up from Double-A Chattanooga, I am absolutely convinced that he will be on the Dodgers 2013 Opening Day roster and is here to stay.

Godspeed to you, Paco.