An iPad. More accurately, the man behind the iPad.

Relying on the experience of catcher Brad Davis and Davis' copious -- and mobile -- scouting reports, Koehler continued his early-season success with six strong innings Friday as the New Orleans Zephyrs beat the Round Rock Express, 4-0.

Koehler (1-0) said he felt strong after throwing 87 pitches, but relievers Jay Buente and Steve Cishek tacked on three one-hit frames to secure the Zephyrs' Pacific Coast League-leading third shutout.

The 24-year-old right-hander has adjusted to a new level quickly, giving up just a run on four hits over six innings in his Triple-A debut on Sunday. A significant reason is his relationship with Davis, who played 83 games with the Zephyrs over the previous two seasons.

"He is one of the most prepared catchers that I have seen," Koehler said. "I don't know if I want to give this away so nobody comes to try to steal it from his locker, but he has an iPad. And on it, he has a report on every single hitter that we face. Having a guy as prepared as he is makes my job a lot easier because I don't have to worry, 'Hey, is he calling the right pitch here?' I know when he calls something, he's got confidence in it, and we're just ready to roll."

Davis' presence, Koehler added, has made his jump from Double-A -- specifically, his matchups with Triple-A hitters -- more seamless than it might have been.

"He knows these hitters well and a lot of these guys I have never seen before," he said. "The fact that I can trust in him and believe in the pitches that he's calling has really helped me out."

Take Round Rock third baseman Brian Barden as an example. Barden, who has played above Double-A since 2004, grounded out twice and reached on an error against Koehler on Friday. All told, Barden went 0-for-4 to snap a 28-game hitting streak that dated back to last season.

"Executing the pitches that he's calling right now," Koehler explained again with a slight sigh, "that's really it."

The Bronx-born Koehler was the Marlins' 18th-round pick in the 2008 Draft and shot up the organizational ladder last season by going 16-2 with a 2.61 ERA for Double-A Jacksonville. He was named the Southern League's Most Outstanding Pitcher.

"If people want to write me on a prospect list, that's great. But it is exactly what it is -- a list of names," Koehler said. "It's about getting your opportunity and doing whatever you can with it."

And some assistance from an Apple user in a nearby locker helps, too.