Khal Stephen Stats & Scouting Report

Full name Michael Khalden Stephen
Born 12/21/2002 in Danville, IL
Profile Ht.: 6'4" / Wt.: 215 / Bats: R / Throws: R
School Purdue
Drafted in the 2nd round (59th overall) by the Toronto Blue Jays in 2024 (signed for $1,116,750).

View Draft Report

School: Mississippi State
Commit/Drafted: Never Drafted
Age At Draft: 21.6
BA Grade: 45/High
Tools: Fastball: 55. Slider: 50. Curveball: 45. Changeup: 50. Control: 55.

Stephen started his career at Purdue where he had reasonable success as a starter in the 2023 season before a strong summer in the Cape Cod League where he posted a 2.73 ERA in 26.1 innings. He transferred to Mississippi State for the 2024 season and shoved early in the year to jump into top-five round consideration. He finished the year with a 3.28 ERA over 96 innings and 16 starts with a 27.9% strikeout rate and 5.5% walk rate. A 6-foot-4, 215-pound righthander, Stephen has an excellent pitcher’s frame and throws from a higher three-quarters slot. He has a deep mix of four distinct pitches, though he relied on his fastball/slider combination for about 85% of his usage this spring. The fastball sits in the 91-94 mph range and gets up to 96 with above-average ride and carry at the top of the zone. He did a nice job establishing the pitch for strikes and helping to set up his low-to-mid-80s slider that flashes gyro action at times and more sweeping life at others. Stephen throws a mid-80s changeup as his primary secondary against lefthanders, and will also mix in an occasional upper-70s curveball. Stephen’s solid blend of quality stuff, size and starter performance should get him selected early on day two if he isn’t taken on day one.

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Draft Prospects

School: Mississippi State Commit/Drafted: Never Drafted
Age At Draft: 21.6
BA Grade: 45/High
Tools: Fastball: 55. Slider: 50. Curveball: 45. Changeup: 50. Control: 55.

Stephen started his career at Purdue where he had reasonable success as a starter in the 2023 season before a strong summer in the Cape Cod League where he posted a 2.73 ERA in 26.1 innings. He transferred to Mississippi State for the 2024 season and shoved early in the year to jump into top-five round consideration. He finished the year with a 3.28 ERA over 96 innings and 16 starts with a 27.9% strikeout rate and 5.5% walk rate. A 6-foot-4, 215-pound righthander, Stephen has an excellent pitcher’s frame and throws from a higher three-quarters slot. He has a deep mix of four distinct pitches, though he relied on his fastball/slider combination for about 85% of his usage this spring. The fastball sits in the 91-94 mph range and gets up to 96 with above-average ride and carry at the top of the zone. He did a nice job establishing the pitch for strikes and helping to set up his low-to-mid-80s slider that flashes gyro action at times and more sweeping life at others. Stephen throws a mid-80s changeup as his primary secondary against lefthanders, and will also mix in an occasional upper-70s curveball. Stephen’s solid blend of quality stuff, size and starter performance should get him selected early on day two if he isn’t taken on day one.