DUNEDIN, Fla. - Last year's Jays rookie of the year, Aaron Loup skipped Class-AAA ball altogether.

And the 25-year-old from Louisiana hopes to keep it that way in 2013.

Loup was called up mid-season in 2012 from Class-AA ball in New Hampshire and went 0-2 in Toronto with a 2.64 ERA and 21 strikeouts in 30 2/3 innings.

The Jays left-hander has a unique delivery -- between side-armed and the normal pitching motion.

Pitching coach Pete Walker calls Loup's throwing style "funky," saying it's very hard for left-handers to hit. And it's no picnic for right-handers, either.

Manager John Gibbons says that makes Loup valuable as a situational pitcher.