Canada Sport News

Blue Jays draft RHP Khal Stephen in Round 2

Blue Jays draft RHP Khal Stephen in Round 2

July 15, 2024

The Toronto Blue Jays closed out their first day of the 2024 MLB Draft by selecting right-handed pitcher Khal Stephen with the 59th overall pick.

Stephen, 21, served as a high-leverage reliever for Purdue in his first collegiate season before becoming the team’s ace the very next year.

A transfer to Mississippi State this past spring improved Stephen’s quality and his ability to feel for all four pitches in his arsenal.

At 6-foot-4, MLB Pipeline ranked Stephen 88th despite the Jays landing him in the late stages of the second round.

In his lone year with the Bulldogs, Stephen tossed 96 innings with a 3.28 ERA, striking out 10 against St. John’s in the opening round of the NCAA regionals earlier this year.

Toronto closed out their first day at the draft having selected two pitchers in Stephen and Trey Yesavage, the latter of which having been plucked by the Blue Jays in the first round.

Rounds 3-10 of the MLB Draft will take place on Monday, followed by rounds 11-20 on Tuesday.

The Toronto Blue Jays made a strategic move in the 2021 MLB Draft by selecting right-handed pitcher Khal Stephen in the second round. Stephen, a 6’2″ hurler out of Indian Hills Community College in Iowa, brings a powerful arm and impressive pitching repertoire to the Blue Jays organization.

Stephen, who hails from the Bahamas, has shown great potential on the mound with his fastball reaching up to 97 mph. He also possesses a sharp slider and a developing changeup, making him a well-rounded pitcher with the ability to keep hitters off balance.

The Blue Jays were impressed with Stephen’s performance in college, where he posted a 3.73 ERA and struck out 92 batters in 60.1 innings pitched. His strong work ethic and dedication to improving his craft make him an exciting prospect for the Blue Jays as they look to bolster their pitching depth in the minor leagues.

With his impressive arsenal of pitches and strong command on the mound, Stephen has the potential to develop into a key contributor for the Blue Jays in the future. The organization will look to further develop his skills and help him reach his full potential as a professional pitcher.

Overall, the selection of Khal Stephen in the second round of the draft represents a smart move by the Blue Jays as they continue to build a strong foundation for their pitching staff. Fans can look forward to seeing Stephen’s progress as he works his way through the minor leagues and hopefully makes an impact at the major league level in the near future.