Spring training games are meaningless games, right? Try convincing 25-year-old Dodger right-hander Seth Rosin of this.

While all of the attention was on 2013 NL Cy Young Award winner Clayton Kershaw in Wednesday’s 2014 spring training opener against the Diamondbacks at Salt River Fields at Talking Stick, it was Rosin who stole the show.

Rosin entered the game in the bottom of the fourth inning, pitched two scoreless innings, faced seven batters, allowed one hit, induced one ground out and struck out five – yes, five.

Seth Rosin caught the attention of just about everyone with his outstanding performance in his Dodger debut on Wednesday afternoon. (Photo credit – Ron Cervenka)

Using a mix of fastballs, sliders and a devastating change-up, Rosin struck out Matt Tuiasosopo, A.J. Pollock, Aaron Hill, Paul Goldschmidt and Martin Prado – not exactly a bunch of pushovers, to say the least.

“I’m trying to establish that as my out pitch,” said Rosin of his dominating change-up. “(Bullpen coach) Chuck Crim has given me tons of confidence with that, we’re working on that a lot, working on my mechanics daily. Everything is feeling like it’s getting better each day. Hopefully I can continue that trend and keep improving.”

Although Dodger manager Don Mattingly was impressed with Rosin’s outing, he knows not to read too much into only one appearance.

“I thought (Rosin) threw the ball good,” said Mattingly of the Fargo, North Dakota native. “We’re not going to judge anybody on one outing, but he made a good first impression. It’s the great part of spring, we get a chance to take a look at a lot of guys, including guys we don’t know real well yet. Guys get to see what they look like out in competition.”

While Mattingly’s assessment of Rosin is understandable with more than a dozen relievers still yet to pitch, it is impossible to ignore what Rosin accomplished in Wednesday’s spring training opener against some pretty good hitters. It is also safe to say that the Rule 5 draftee will be watched very closely in his subsequent spring training appearances.

So, are spring training games really meaningless?

I’m betting that Seth Rosin doesn’t think so.