The Toronto Blue Jays went back to college for their second-round pick.

On Sunday, the Blue Jays selected Khal Stephen with the 59th overall pick. This is now the second straight pick where the Blue Jays have selected a college pitcher.
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With the 59th pick in the 2024 Draft, the <a href="https://twitter.com/BlueJays?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@BlueJays</a> select <a href="https://twitter.com/HailStateBB?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@HailStateBB</a> right-handed pitcher Khal Stephen, No. 88 on the Top 250 Draft Prospects list.
Watch LIVE: <a href="https://t.co/eLMJAXDe7Z">https://t.co/eLMJAXDe7Z</a> <a href="https://t.co/2P0HWGj3Ew">pic.twitter.com/2P0HWGj3Ew</a>
&mdash; MLB Draft (@MLBDraft) <a href="https://twitter.com/MLBDraft/status/1812679221652660254?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 15, 2024</a></blockquote>
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The 6’4”, 225 lb right-handed pitcher spent his first two collegiate seasons at Purdue University, posting an 8.29 ERA in 33.2 innings pitched as a reliever in his freshman season. He had a better season in his sophomore season after moving to the rotation, posting a 5.21 ERA in 76 innings pitched, along with a 19.8 K% and a 9 BB%.
Stephen transferred to Mississippi State in the Southeastern Conference for the 2024 season, where he improved drastically. The 21-year-old’s ERA dropped to 3.28, while his K% increased to 27.9% and his BB% decreased to 5.5%. He even gave up fewer home runs, allowing just 13 long balls to the 15 the year prior, as his HR/9 dropped from 1.8 to 1.2.
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Fire us up Khal! 💪 
Stephen ties his career high with his 11th K of the night!
📺» <a href="https://t.co/GSm0IsguWI">https://t.co/GSm0IsguWI</a><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/HailState?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#HailState</a>🐶 <a href="https://t.co/IGJcndXBo4">pic.twitter.com/IGJcndXBo4</a>
&mdash; Mississippi State Baseball (@HailStateBB) <a href="https://twitter.com/HailStateBB/status/1781493526024626511?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 20, 2024</a></blockquote>
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According to MLB Pipeline, the fastball sits 92-94 mph and has reached 96 mph. It has a ton of carry, which is similar to what they’ll get with Trey Yesavage, their first-round selection. He also features a changeup with “significant fade” as well as an average slider and curveball, both graded at 50.
It’s worth mentioning that Stephen also has a good feel for all the pitches he throws, and his fastball command is good. While he may not have ace potential, Pipeline notes that his floor is as a back-end of the rotation starter, which is a pretty good get in the second round.
The slot value for this pick is $1.49 million, and the Blue Jays have a signing bonus pool of $8.987 million. On Monday, rounds 3 through 10 will commence and the Blue Jays will have nine picks thanks to the compensation pick for Matt Chapman.
It’ll be interesting to see if they draft a position player, but it’s never a bad idea to pick more starting pitchers.
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As always, you can follow me on Twitter @Ryley_L_D.

The Toronto Blue Jays went back to college for their second-round pick.



On Sunday, the Blue Jays selected Khal Stephen with the 59th overall pick. This is now the second straight pick where the Blue Jays have selected a college pitcher.

https://twitter.com/MLBDraft/status/1812679221652660254

&nbsp;

The 6’4”, 225 lb right-handed pitcher spent his first two collegiate seasons at Purdue University, posting an 8.29 ERA in 33.2 innings pitched as a reliever in his freshman season. He had a better season in his sophomore season after moving to the rotation, posting a 5.21 ERA in 76 innings pitched, along with a 19.8 K% and a 9 BB%.

Stephen transferred to Mississippi State in the Southeastern Conference for the 2024 season, where he improved drastically. The 21-year-old’s ERA dropped to 3.28, while his K% increased to 27.9% and his BB% decreased to 5.5%. He even gave up fewer home runs, allowing just 13 long balls to the 15 the year prior, as his HR/9 dropped from 1.8 to 1.2.

https://twitter.com/HailStateBB/status/1781493526024626511

According to MLB Pipeline, the fastball sits 92-94 mph and has reached 96 mph. It has a ton of carry, which is similar to what they’ll get with Trey Yesavage, their first-round selection. He also features a changeup with “significant fade” as well as an average slider and curveball, both graded at 50.

It’s worth mentioning that Stephen also has a good feel for all the pitches he throws, and his fastball command is good. While he may not have ace potential, Pipeline notes that his floor is as a back-end of the rotation starter, which is a pretty good get in the second round.

The slot value for this pick is $1.49 million, and the Blue Jays have a signing bonus pool of $8.987 million. On Monday, rounds 3 through 10 will commence and the Blue Jays will have nine picks thanks to the compensation pick for Matt Chapman.

It’ll be interesting to see if they draft a position player, but it’s never a bad idea to pick more starting pitchers.

<hr />

As always, you can follow me on Twitter @Ryley_L_D.

Blue Jays selected Khal Stephen with the 59th overall pick in the 2024 draft

Toronto Blue Jays outfielder Anthony Santander (25) congratulates outfielder Daulton Varsho (5) after hitting home run against the Philadelphia Phillies in the first inning during spring training at TD Ballpark

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