Maryland Baseball Network is counting down to Opening Day! Today marks 25 days until the start of the 2017 season, so here’s a look at #25, Tayler Stiles.

TAYLER STILES | 25

Position: Pitcher

Bats/Throws: L/L

Height/Weight: 6’2” / 223

Hometown: Bowie, Md.

Previous School: Bishop McNamara High School

2016 Spring Stats: 2-3, 35.2 IP, 6.56 ERA, 22 K, 12 BB, .327 BAA

2016 Summer Stats (Silver Spring Takoma Thunderbolts, Cal Ripken Collegiate Baseball League): 1-0, 5 IP, 1.80 ERA, 1.40 WHIP, 5 K, 1 BB

About Tayler: As a freshman in 2014, Tayler Stiles made 22 appearances, including three starts, and posted a 4.05 ERA while recording 34 strikeouts. He pitched well enough in the regular season to earn valuable innings in the postseason. Stiles recorded two relief victories at the Columbia regional and pitched 5 ⅔ innings in the super regional against Virginia. He came back as a sophomore in 2015 and made six starts in 14 appearances. He pitched to a 3.46 ERA with 37 strikeouts and eight walks, but his season was abruptly ended in April after being struck in the face by a line drive.

The lefty came came back fully recovered in 2016, making 15 appearances, five of them starts, and posting a 6.56 ERA with 22 strikeouts in 35 ⅔ innings. The Bishop McNamara product figures to yet again be a key part of the pitching staff for John Szefc this season. He could be slotted as the fourth starting pitcher, setting him up to start some mid-week games but also contribute out of the bullpen on the weekends.