Welcome to the Blue, Edward Paredes!

Who doesn't love a Baseball Lifer?

These are the guys who toil day in and day out playing the game they love for little pay -- oftentimes, well past the generally accepted prime for a ballplayer. Nevertheless, they grind it out and they never relent -- which is why Edward Paredes story is so compelling. He has all the hallmarks of todays Dodgers -- you keep working and fighting til the very end.

Yesterday, the Dodgers called up 12-year minor/independent league veteran Edward Paredes, and he made his Major League debut later that evening to record a scoreless inning and a win. Per Mark Mason his onetime manager at the independent York Revolution in the York Dispatch:

“Eddie was one of the best lefty relievers in the league during his time here,” Mason said in a news release from the Revolution. “More importantly, he had a tremendous work ethic and was a great teammate and true professional. He made the most of his opportunity here and has earned this. We’re extremely proud and happy for him.”

For those who don't recall, the Dodgers picked up Paredes in December during the Triple-AAA Rule 5 Draft from the Angels. Per a Dodgers press release:

Paredes, 30, will make his first career appearance on a Major League roster after going a combined 1-2 with one save and posting a 2.23 ERA (10 ER/40.1 IP) in 30 games with Triple-A OKC and Double-A Tulsa. He last pitched on Thursday for the OKC Dodgers, allowing just one hit and recording a strikeout in 1.1 innings of relief. In six games with Oklahoma City, the left-hander has gone 1-0 and has not allowed a run across 8.1 scoreless frames, while striking out 14 against just one walk.

Paredes, who was selected in the minor league portion of the 2016 Rule 5 Draft by the Dodgers, has posted a 34-37 record with a 4.33 ERA in 283 career games (46 starts) over nine minor league seasons with the Mariners (2006-11), Indians (2013), Angels (2016) and Dodgers (2017) organizations. The Villa Arriva, Dominican Republic, native was signed as a non-drafted free agent by the Seattle Mariners in 2005.

He recorded the first Dodger save of Spring Training this February, and has quickly risen up the ladder since then. Now, he is officially a Dodger. Welcome!

"It's been a long road for him," Dodges manager Dave Roberts told the Associated Press after Los Angeles’ 6-4 triumph on Monday over Minnesota. "And for him to finally make his major-league debut at Dodger Stadium with a win, I know he and his family are thrilled. The guys were excited."

In honor of Paredes joining the Dodgers on Monday I made the above three fantasy Baseball cards for him.  I used the 1986 Fleer, 1988 Donruss and 1972 Topps Baseball card designs with a pics taken by Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers 2017.

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