Richard Stahl

Organization Prospect Rankings

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  Ranked Baltimore Orioles #27 prospect in 2005
  Back and arm injuries have sapped much of the promise that once made Stahl the organization's top prospect, but the Orioles are encouraged that he has stayed relatively healthy the last two seasons--though he has been used very carefully and has still battled nagging injuries like a bad groin--and anxious to see what he can show in 2005. Stahl was said to be disconsolate at one point during the season as he struggled at high Class A, a level he dominated in six starts three years earlier. But he has persevered and his fastball is back into the 89-92 mph range, occasionally touching 93 or 94. He also throws a power slider, as opposed to a curveball that he used to throw, and changeup. It's not likely he'll get back to the easy mid-90s velocity he used to show, and his arm is not as free and loose as it was several years ago. That he has made it this far back is a tribute to his work ethic. Stahl will try to win a Double-A rotation spot and prove his stuff is continuing to approach its previous form.
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  Ranked Baltimore Orioles #28 prospect in 2004
  No. 1 on this list just two years ago, Stahl serves as the representative for the Orioles' flock of talented but oft-injured pitching prospects. Along with first-round picks Beau Hale and Chris Smith, Stahl is expected to be healthy for spring training and anxious to put his arm troubles behind them. Baltimore didn't protect any of them on its 40-man roster, but no team took them in the major league Rule 5 draft. Though Stahl has pitched sparingly the last three years because of back and shoulder injuries, he still has the biggest upside of the group. He stayed in extended spring training last year with a strained lower back, but stayed healthy once he reported to low Class A. The Orioles used him cautiously out of the bullpen, seeking only to keep him in one piece and to get his confidence back. His results weren't good, but that was a minor consideration. When healthy, Stahl has a mid-90s fastball and a curveball that's a potential second plus pitch. Because he has been missed so much time, his changeup is unrefined and his mechanics are out of whack. He doesn't throw as free and easy as he once did, leading to command problems. He has worked with roving pitching instructor Moe Drabowsky to get a consistent, smooth delivery. Stahl likely will head back to low Class A, where he'll get a chance to pitch in the rotation.
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  Ranked Baltimore Orioles #7 prospect in 2003
  The organization's top prospect a year ago, Stahl was supposed to take off in 2002 and put his history of nagging injuries behind. It didn't work out that way, as he made just two starts before having surgery to remove a bone spur at the top of his left shoulder in July. The spur was stretching the tendons in his shoulder. Stahl was back to full health by the end of instructional league, where his fastball velocity returned to the mid- 90s. His curveball also has the potential to be a plus pitch. He already has filled out his big frame significantly since signing, adding nearly 40 pounds of muscle. Taking the ball every five days would do wonders for Stahl, who has pitched 78 innings combined in the last two seasons. The good news is that his injuries appear to be caused by his growing body, not any arm problems. Whatever the case, he needs innings to start smoothing out his rough edges. Stahl has completed all of his rehabilitation and goes into spring training ready to take over a rotation spot. High Class A Frederick is his likely starting point.
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  Ranked Baltimore Orioles #1 prospect in 2002
  Stahl was part of the Orioles' 1999 draft class, which included seven first-round picks. He got the largest bonus of the bunch, $1.795 million, enough to pry him away from Georgia Tech on the day he was to begin classes there. He signed too late to pitch in 1999 and threw just 89 innings in 2000 because of back trouble. He started strong in 2001, earning a promotion from low Class A Delmarva to high Class A Frederick after just six starts. He looked even better there, but shoulder trouble sidelined him again after six. He was picked for the Futures Game but didn't pitch because of the injury, and he made just one rehab appearance in July before getting shut down for the rest of the season. Doctors performed arthroscopic surgery to remove a bone spur but otherwise found no structural problems. Quite simply, no one else in the organization has a ceiling that matches Stahl's. He has all the attributes to become a No. 1 starter, including a mid-90s fastball that could improve as he fills out his 6-foot-7 frame and gets consistent with his mechanics. He has a smooth, easy delivery that should keep his arm healthy once he fully matures. He has the makings of a plus curveball and made progress with it last year, though it remains inconsistent. His changeup is average but also has potential. A basketball player in high school, he's a good athlete. The Orioles say Stahl's injuries have been the function of a growing body, not any chronic problems, but he still needs to prove he can stand up to the workload of a full season. What's more, he needs the innings to refine his secondary pitches and command, and to learn more about how to attack hitters. As with most tall pitchers, he also needs to find consistent mechanics, which should solve many of his other weaknesses. With plenty of time to recover from his shoulder ailment, Stahl should be sound and ready to move in 2002. He'll probably return to Frederick to start the season, but a strong spring or fast start in the regular season could get him to Double-A Bowie quickly.
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  Ranked Baltimore Orioles #2 prospect in 2001
  Stahl's $1.795 million bonus was the largest of any player from the Orioles' big 1999 draft haul. He signed on the day he was to begin classes at Georgia Tech and didn't make his professional debut until last season. He was limited by back trouble, but that's a function of his continuing growth and isn't considered a long-term problem. Stahl has the best arm in the organization and the package of a true No. 1 starter, with a loose, quick delivery and a fastball that gets up to 96 mph. He's big and rangy, and his delivery makes batters feel as though he's right on top of them. He's a good athlete who moves well for a guy his size and could approach Randy Johnson stature by the time he reaches the big leagues. It's a simple question of gaining maturity, with his body, his approach to pitching and his adjustment to the grind of professional baseball. He has the makings of a great curveball but needs to become consistent with it. Statistics mean little for Stahl at this point. He has the arm and the athletic ability to advance quickly once everything clicks. That process will continue in 2001 at Frederick.