LHP STEPHEN STILL HEADED TO BALTIMORE ORIOLES ORGANIZATION THROUGH CONTRACT PURCHASE
TROY, NY – The Tri-City ValleyCats are proud to announce the transfer of starting pitcher Stephen Still’s contract to the Baltimore Orioles. This “The Joe to The Show” Update is presented by Curtis Lumber.
Still led the Frontier League in strikeouts, 18, through his first 11 innings over two starts to start the 2026 season.
“I have loved every single second of my time with the ValleyCats. First, and very much foremost, I need to thank the fans who have supported both me and the team since I have been here. I have made lifelong memories and friends here and am so thankful I have been able to share this time with the best fans in the Frontier League,” Still said. “At the same time, I am excited to take on this new challenge. I am so thankful to the Orioles organization for this opportunity to take the next step in my career.”
Using an arsenal of a four-seam fastball, sweeper, curve, and change-up, Still threw a six-inning, two-hit, 11-strikeout gem for Tri-City as the ValleyCats topped New Jersey, 7-1, in the 2026 season opener on May 8. He threw 96 pitches that night with 58 strikes. He followed that up on May 14, striking out seven Sussex County Miners in five innings. That day, he allowed six runs and eight hits using 103 pitches (67 strikes).
The six-foot-three, 200-pound, Louisiana 24-year-old had a breakout year for the ValleyCats in 2025 as he led the Frontier League in wins with 13 over 16 starts and 19 total appearances. Overall, Still had a 3.89 ERA in 108.2 innings (2 complete games) with 97 strikeouts, 44 walks, and a 1.454 WHIP. The innings and Ks were the second-most in a single season in ValleyCats history, while the ERA was the fourth-best in a single season all-time.
Previously, Still was 5-5 in 14 starts (18 appearances) for the Grand Junction Jackalopes of the Pioneer League in 2024, striking out 117 batters and walking just 32. Combine that with his final season of college ball with the Loyola New Orleans Wolfpack of the Southern States Athletic Conference, and Still had 168.2 innings with 211 strikeouts and just 54 walks with a 1.44 WHIP in 2024.
The signing is the third by a Major League organization in the past two seasons for Tri-City players, as the ValleyCats remain committed to player development. Right-handed pitcher Nick DeCarlo signed with the Milwaukee Brewers, and catcher Miguel Useche signed with the Chicago Cubs last season.
"The ValleyCats are thrilled to see Stephen get this well-deserved opportunity and wish him all the best with the Baltimore Orioles," said Tri-City General Manager Matt Callahan. "He has been a great contributor to the ValleyCats organization both on the field and in the clubhouse. As much as we will miss Stephen here in Tri-City, we are also committed to developing talented players and providing opportunities for players to move forward with their careers.”
Tri-City alumni outfielder Carson McCusker (2021-23) joined the Minnesota Twins in 2023 and made his major league debut in 2025. Pitcher Kumar Rocker (2022) - now with the Texas Rangers - and Andrew Bellatti (2021) - in the Philadelphia Phillies organization - are also Frontier League-era ValleyCats to reach the major leagues.
