It has been a trying season for Stahl, who is slated to start at home today against New Britain in the second game of a doubleheader. After fighting through injuries early in his career, now is the time for the lefty to re-establish himself within the organization?s hierarchy of pitching prospects.

Consistency is the key to determining whether or not Stahl will approach the potential the Orioles saw in him when they drafted him 18th overall in 1999.

“Richard?s a very interesting pitcher,” Bowie manager Don Werner said. “He throw?s 92-93 mph and is a 6-foot-7 left-handed pitcher. I?d like to see better consistency out of him. If he does that, he has a good shot at making it to the major leagues.”

Locating his fastball may enable Stahl, 25, to reach the majors, albeit later than he had originally hoped.

“I didn?t expect to still be in the minors at this point in my career. I was on the fast track early on, but surgeries and other things set me back,” Stahl said. “A couple of years ago, I dwelled on the negatives a lot more. Now, though, I know there is nothing I can do about that now but pitch well.”

Maturity is one aspect of the game in which Stahl has improved through his hardships.

“It?s been a long road for Richard as he tries to get to the majors,” Bowie pitching coach Scott McGregor, a former Oriole, said. “After all the setbacks he?s had, he just needs to get back on the mound and break some of the bad habits he developed when he was hurt.”