“He has very good power and he has better than average running speed,” Stockstill said about the 6-foot-3, 220 pound outfielder. “Paul has the tools too keep playing for a while and move right up the ladder. We have been very happy with him he is an outstanding player and a fine young man.”

Playing for the Rookie League Bluefield Orioles in 2005, Winterling batted .280, with six home runs and was also 7-for-7 in stolen base attempts. This season in Aberdeen Winterling has struggled early, batting .127 in 15 games through Wednesday.

Winterling is not worried about the slow start.

“Right now I am just trying to get as many at-bats as I can,” Winterling said. “There is a saying in the minors, that you need 1,000 at-bats before you really know what you have got.”

Winterling said he enjoys being able to play baseball in Maryland. Before spring training he was able to work out at Hopkins? facilities and work with his former teammates.

“I am happy to be home,” Winterling said, “I am getting a chance to play back in Maryland.”

Winterling grew up idolizing Cal Ripken and the Orioles, and as he puts it, playing for Aberdeen is a “dream come true.”

“I like very much to be able to sign kids from our immediate area,” Stockstill said. “To me, it is a big shot in the arm for the whole organization when you can sign a quality kid from this area. We want to promote the Oriole family and that is the best way to do it.”

WINTERLING NOTES

» In Winterling?s best offensive performance of the season, he went 3-for-5 on July 5 in Aberdeen, with two doubles and two RBI in front of more than 20 family members and friends.

» Despite his base running prowess, Winterling only has one stolen base to his credit.

» In his senior year with Hopkins, Winterling batted .320 with eight home runs and 28 RBI.