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Proving his worth By GREG STILES Steve Bechler's pride was stung when he failed to make the Baltimore Oriole's AA farm club in Bowie, Md. So the 6-foot-3, 195-pound right-hander vowed to show anyone paying attention he was worthy of a promotion. First on the 21-year-old South Medford graduate's agenda was making the Carolina League all-star team playing against a California League squad in Lancaster, Calif. The short-term goal comes to fruition Tuesday night. "To tell you the truth, I'm never satisfied," says Bechler, a third-round selection in the 1998 draft. "I was kind of depressed and upset to be back at Frederick. My goal was to make the all-star team and I achieved that one. My next goal is to get to Bowie." The way Bechler has pitched the first two months of the season, it wouldn't be a surprise. In 13 starts, Bechler is 5-2 with a 2.27 ERA and one shutout. In 83� innings, he has struck out 71 and walked 22. His most impressive outing was a three-hit, 1-0 shutout over seven innings in the first game of a doubleheader against the Lynchburg Hillcats on May 23. "That's most definitely the best game I've pitched," Bechler says. "I walked a batter but that was because the umpire didn't like me. I had everything working that night, I only threw 85 pitches. "The fact that it was 1-0 means that much more, because you have to bust your rear. Our offense isn't that productive, but give me one run and I honestly feel that's enough." In his final outing before the all-star break, Bechler was matched up against Shane Wallace of Kinston, the league-leader in wins and ERA. Both threw five scoreless innings before a rain delay. Wallace did not return to the hill, while Bechler tossed another scoreless inning before giving up a run in the seventh. The Keys, however, rallied to tie it in the ninth inning and won in the 10th. As a result, Bechler's four-game winning streak - the longest for Frederick this season - remained intact. Success comes in a variety of ways for developing ballplayers. Putting together the right unknowns and variables is the trick. "From 20 to 21 years old may not seem like that much, but I've matured so much," Bechler says. "Last year, I tried to strike out everybody and would get myself in trouble. I threw a lot more pitches. I'd rather throw 27 pitches a game - the fewer the better - and just let my defense do its job. I'm more effective that way. If errors happen, oh well. I just block it out and focus on the next hitter." Bechler has pitched a minimum of five innings in each of his 14 starts and that's played a major role in his success. "It's such a big turn around from last year that it's ridiculous," he says. "I'm more consistent and more focused. Every time I'm on the mound, I feel more confident." Plus, he's incorporating the little things that have improved the big picture. Bo McLaughlin, the Orioles minor league pitching coordinator, has been a favorable influence. "He's reminded me of the little things that I should know and let escape from my mind," Bechler says. "Once I come back to those things, I keep them and I think that has had a lot to do with my success." The all-star contest also marks a reunion of former Medford Mustangs pitchers. Bechler and Hans Smith, a reliever for the Bakersfield Blaze in the California League, were teammates on the Mustangs 1997 American Legion national runner-up team. Smith leads his league with 16 saves. In 25 appearances, he has surrendered just five earned runs and sports a 1.52 ERA. In 29� innings, he has struck out 31 and walked 10. "He's lucky I'm not swinging a bat," Bechler jokes "I'm just glad he's not swinging a bat." Reach reporter Greg Stiles at 776-4483, or e-mail [email protected] Mail Tribune Home | Ottaway Newspapers, Inc. | Dow Jones & Co., Inc. | Privacy | Contact Us Copyright � 2001 Mail Tribune, Inc.