In previous seasons, Levi Stoudt's current pitching struggles would have impacted his overall happiness. In his fifth season of professional baseball, the Marlborough native claims that he has learned not to dwell on the past.
            "That only adds unneeded pressure," he said last week outside the visitors'

Levi Stoudt pitches for the Norfolk Tides on July 23 at  Coca-Cola Park in Allentown.

clubhouse at Coca-Cola Park in Allentown. "You've got to stay positive."
            Despite a string of bad outings, the Baltimore Orioles prospect expressed certainty that he will figure it out. Stoudt said his focus will be ironing out the mechanical issues and overcoming other challenges – including excessive sweating – that have led to six multiple-run outings over the last six weeks.
            "I have the utmost confidence in myself that I am going to turn it around," he said. "My stuff is still there. I know that I am a good pitcher."
            Stoudt made two relief appearances last week for the Norfolk Tides against the Lehigh Valley IronPigs. The 2016 Perkiomen School graduate faced only three hitters on Wednesday, July 23, allowing a solo homer to Óscar Mercado.
            Two nights later, Stoudt emerged from the Norfolk bullpen to pitch the bottom of the eighth inning with his team clinging to a one-run lead. Command issues allowed the Iron Pigs to score twice and secure a 7-6 win.

            An outing like that – permitting three walks and one hit on 34 pitches after retiring the initial two batters – would have likely disrupted Stoudt's sleep earlier in his professional career. However, the pitcher said he's learned how to deal with failure more productively.

            "The game can't be my whole life," he said.

            With a 1-4 record and a 7.11 ERA in 19 appearances, Stoudt doesn't expect a return to the Major League anytime soon. His priority is to continue implementing a series of mechanical adjustments.

Earlier this month, pitching coach Justin Ramsey recommended that Stoudt get into his back leg more in the delivery. The staff also determined his pelvis was over-rotating.

            "I've got to figure it out," said Stoudt, whose team is currently hosting the Memphis Redbirds in a six-game series. "It's not easy getting to the big leagues. To stay there is incredibly hard,"

            Stoudt says his struggles began during a May 31 outing at Harbor Park Stadium against the visiting IronPigs. Pitching in heavy rain, he allowed two runs on three hits and recorded just one out.
            Excessive sweating has limited his ability to properly grip the baseball. At the suggestion of a teammate, Stoudt ordered anti-sweat wipes on Amazon.

            "You can only go to the rosin bag so often," he said.

            According to Stoudt, the adjustment added approximately two miles per hour to his fastball. The move upped his average fastball to 96 mph, an optimal velocity.

            Stoudt, listed at 6-foot-1, 195 pounds, displayed that velocity in his July 25 outing with the Tides leading 6-5. Pitching to Orioles catcher Adley Rutschman, on a rehabilitation assignment, the Lehigh University product recorded the first two outs on six pitches. He retired Donovan Walton on three fastballs and Rodolfo Castro on three sliders.
            The pitcher then walked the bases loaded. Stoudt struggled to locate his slider against Rafael Lantigua, Justin Crawford and Cal Stevenson after getting two early strikes in each at-bat.
            Down 0-2, Crawford fouled off four sliders. He took two sliders out of the zone to force his way on base.

            Up 1-2 against Stevenson, Stoudt missed on three straight off-speed pitches. Keaton Anthony delivered the game-winning hit, a line single to right field on an 88 mph slider.