Blue Jays Nation’s 2025 Pre-Season Prospect Countdown – No. 14: Khal Stephen

Originally posted on Bluejaysnation | By Ryley Delaney | Last updated Feb 17, 2025 5:00 PM ET

The Toronto Blue Jays picked a handful of intriguing pitchers at the start of the 2024 draft.

This is Blue Jays Nation’s annual Pre-Season Prospect Countdown, this time looking at the top 40 prospects in the organization. We’ll look at the player’s stats, my observations, and other publication’s scouting reports if available.

Let’s take a look at our 14th-best Blue Jays prospect, Khal Stephen!

Getting to know Khal Stephen…

Position: Starting pitcher

Throws: Right

Born: December 21, 2002

Acquired: 2nd-round, 2024 draft

Previous ranking: 11

Stephen started his collegiate career at Purdue University, posting an 8.29 ERA in 33.2 innings pitched, with all 23 of his starts coming in relief. He was better in 2023, as he had a 5.21 ERA in 76 innings, starting the 14 games that he played.

Before the start of the 2024 collegiate season, Stephen transferred to Mississippi State, where he had a 3.28 ERA in 96 innings pitched, starting all 16 games he appeared in. Moreover, Stephen had a 27.9 K% and a 5.5 BB%. For his three seasons in college, Stephen finished with a 4.81 ERA in 205.2 innings pitched paired with good results in summer leagues.

That led to the Blue Jays picking him with the 59th overall pick in the 2024 draft. Like many prospects recently drafted by the Blue Jays, including first-round pick Trey Yesavage, Stephen has yet to make his professional debut immediately following the draft.

Still, he ranked as MLB Pipeline’s sixth-best prospect in their 2024 mid-season update. Standing at 6’4”, 215 lbs, Stephen features a fastball that sits 92-94 but has touched as high as 96 mph. It’s also known for its carry, making this a 55-grade fastball according to his scouting report. He also has a changeup (his best secondary), a slider, and a curveball with good command. While he doesn’t have a plus offering according to his scouting report, he has a floor of a backend of the rotation starter.

No. 40: Randy Soto

No. 39: Kennew Blanco

No. 38: Kendry Chirinos

No. 37: Victor Arias

No. 36: Yohendrick Piñango

No. 35: Damiano Palmegiani

No. 34: Lazaro Estrada

No. 33: Mason Fluharty

No. 32: Dahian Santos

No. 31: Juaron Watts-Brown

No. 30: Cutter Coffey

No. 29: Eddinson Paulino