Khal Stephen

Michael Khalden Stephen

• Bats Right, Throws Right
• Height 6' 4", Weight 215 lb.
• School Purdue University, Mississippi State University
• High School Seeger Memorial High School

• Born December 21, 2002 in Danville, IL USA

BR Minors page

Biographical Information

Pitcher Khal Stephen was selected by the Toronto Blue Jays in the 2nd round of the 2024 amateur draft out of Mississippi State University. He had just gone 8-3, 3.28 in 16 games as a starter in his only season there, after spending 2022 and 2023 at Purdue University. He had also spent time in the Prospect League and in the Cape Cod League. He signed for a bonus of $1.1 million.

He did not make his pro debut until the 2025 season, but moved up quickly that year. He started off the year in Class A with the Dunedin Blue Jays where he went 3-0, 2.06 in 8 games. His next stop was in High-A with the Vancouver Canadians of the Northwest League, where he went 6-1, 1.49 in 9 starts and was named the NWL Pitcher of the Month in June. That earned him a promotion to the AA New Hampshire Fisher Cats on July 20th. He made one start there, giving up 5 runs in 4 innings, then headed to the injured list with a shoulder impingement, but that did not prevent him from being at the center of one of the most intriguing trades made at the trading deadline that year. On July 31st, the Blue Jays sent him to the Cleveland Guardians in return for Shane Bieber, their former ace who had not pitched in the majors since April of the previous year after undergoing Tommy John surgery. Bieber had looked good in his first few rehabilitation outings, however, and the Blue Jays were willing to bet that he would be in a position to help with a postseason push before long, which turned out to be true. For their part, the Guardians had added a top-level pitching prospect to their organization. He made 4 starts for the Akron Rubber Ducks after the trade, staying in the Eastern League. He was 0-1, 6.35, allowing 17 hits in 11 1/3 innings.

Related Sites

• Mississippi State University bio