The Toronto Blue Jays’ advancement in prospect pitching depth across the minor leagues allowed them to make two trades last season that helped lead to their run to the World Series. The Blue Jays traded right-hander Khal Stephen to acquire Shane Bieber from the Cleveland Guardians and sent right-hander Juaron Watts-Brown to the Baltimore Orioles to add hard-throwing righty Seranthony Domínguez to the club’s bullpen. Bieber returned to the Blue Jays this winter after deciding to accept his $16 million player option, while Domínguez signed a two-year $20 million contract with the Chicago White Sox after appearing in 36 games with the Blue Jays over the final two months of the regular season and playoffs.
Here is a look at how Stephen and Watts-Brown are doing in their first full season after being traded by the Blue Jays before last year’s trade deadline.
The Blue Jays selected Stephen in the second round of the 2024 MLB Draft, and the righty took the minor league by storm. At the time of the trade, Stephen was the Blue Jays’ 11th-ranked prospect per MLB Pipeline and had worked his way across three levels, starting in Single-A with Dunedin before reaching Double-A New Hampshire at the time of the trade.
Upon arrival within the Guardians’ organization, Stephen remained at the Double-A level and joined the Akron RubberDucks to wrap up the 2025 season. Through 12 starts this season with the RubberDucks, Stephen is 3-2 with a 3.44 ERA and 1.36 WHIP across 55 innings pitched. The 23-year-old has held opposing teams to a .250 average against and has punched out 49 batters via the strikeout over his 55 frames.
In his most recent outing on June 7, Stephen was removed after only throwing one inning due to elbow soreness. After being placed on the 7-day injured list, news broke this afternoon that Stephen is set to undergo right elbow surgery after receiving a recommendation from Dr. Keith Meister. The extent of the surgery is not yet known, as Stephen will meet with Dr. Meister again on July 2 to see whether he needs a full Tommy John surgery, which would create a lengthier absence for the 23-year-old and Guardians’ number four-ranked prospect.
Watts-Brown was selected by the Blue Jays in the third round of the 2023 MLB Draft and quickly climbed to Double-A New Hampshire before being moved to the Orioles’ organization, where he joined the Chesapeake Baysox, who play at the same level. At the time of the trade, Watts-Brown was the Blue Jays’ 17th-ranked prospect and now sits 14th on the Orioles’ 2026 rankings. After pitching to a 1-3 record, 3.82 ERA and 0.91 WHIP over seven starts last year with the Baysox, Watts-Brown appeared poised to be in line for a promotion but was forced to open the season on the 7-day IL. After three rehab starts in Single-A, Watts-Brown returned to the Baysox’s rotation but has struggled to find his form from a season ago.
Through nine starts, Watts-Brown is 0-6 with an 8.27 ERA and 1.62 WHIP across his 32.2 innings pitched. While the numbers are not where the 24-year-old would like them to be, he has flashed strikeout ability with 43 punchouts over his 32.2 frames.
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