In case you haven’t noticed, there is a Dodger starting pitcher in spring training camp who is tearing it up. No, it isn’t former Cy Young Award winners Clayton Kershaw or Zack Greinke; no, it isn’t Korean sensation Hyun-jin Ryu or Chad Billingsley; and no, it isn’t Chris Capuano or Aaron Harang with their 18.00 ERAs.

The guy who has been absolutely stellar on the mound after only five spring training games is a guy who was placed on the 40-man roster just minutes before the rule-5 draft deadline and is making Ned Colletti look like an absolute genius for doing so. The guy who has yet to allow a run this spring and who has struck out 8 of the 10 batters that he has faced, and who has allowed only one hit and one walk in 3.1 innings is 23-year-old Matt MaGill.

If Matt MaGill continues on his torrid pace this spring, it will be a lot easier for the Dodgers to trade away Chris Capuano and Aaron Harang before Opening Day. (Photo credit – Ron Cervenka)

MaGill was selected by the Dodgers in the 31st round of the 2008 first year player draft and has basically remained under the radar for four years. The Simi Valley native spent the 2012 season at Double-A Chattanooga where he went 11-8 with a respectable 3.75 ERA. And while these numbers are certainly not overwhelming by any means, his K/9 ratio of 10.3 and his K/BB ratio of 2.75 is definitely eye-catching. MaGill possesses an above average fastball and curveball and a filthy slider. With a little seasoning, I believe that he has top-of-the-rotation potential.

In reality, MaGill has very little chance of making the Opening Day roster and he will most likely begin the 2013 season back at Chattanooga, but I am willing to bet that he would be the first guy called up as a spot starter should any one of the five starters (Lord forbid) get injured or struggle during the opening months of the 2013 season.

If you haven’t noticed Matt MaGill, you better start doing so… and now.