Every young pitcher dreams of toeing the rubber at Yankee Stadium, and for top Yankees prospect Elmer Rodriguez, that dream became a reality Tuesday night. Though the right-hander was optioned back to Triple-A following his second big league start, he made sure to leave an unforgettable mark—not just on the game, but on his own career.

Rodriguez took the mound for his second career start, this time in front of the home crowd at Yankee Stadium after making his debut in Arlington against the Rangers. "Better than what I expected. It was always a dream of mine pitching here," Rodriguez said after the game. "I was excited and it was a blast... Ever since I was a little kid, I was dreaming of playing in the big leagues and hopefully play for the Yankees. I'm extremely blessed and thankful for the opportunity to be here and wear pinstripes."

The start, however, began like a nightmare. Rodriguez walked the first two batters of the game, and the Rangers capitalized quickly, plating three runs before the Yankees even came to bat. The young right-hander needed 37 pitches just to escape the first inning. But true to his prospect pedigree, Rodriguez settled in, finding his rhythm and battling into the fifth inning for the second straight start. The Yankees offense rallied to tie the game at 3-3, but with three Rangers on base in the fifth, manager Aaron Boone turned to reliever Brent Headrick, who slammed the door on Texas.

"Just having a hard time getting settled. Again, though, credit to him. It could have really gotten away there," Boone said of Rodriguez's performance. "To have two long at-bats to start it and lose them both, then a base hit right away, to limit the damage somewhat and still grind his way through it—I'm proud of the effort. It was a great learning experience. You're in the fire there. It can go haywire really quick. He didn't flinch. It certainly wasn't perfect, but he battled his butt off."

Rodriguez was honest about the rocky start: "First inning wasn't the first inning I was trying to go for. Two walks to start the game, I can't be doing that." But the way he fought back, with composure and grit, is exactly what makes this young arm one to watch. For now, he'll head back to Triple-A to refine his command, but his short stint in pinstripes has already given fans—and Rodriguez himself—a glimpse of a bright future.