ARLINGTON, Texas — Former Seeger standout Khal Stephen knows there is a time and place for everything in his life.
On Sunday night, he took the next step on his way to become a professional baseball player when the Toronto Blue Jays selected the Mississippi State right-hander in the second round, pick No. 59 overall, in the 2024 MLB Draft.
“I’m super excited for the opportunity and I can’t wait to get to work,’’ said Stephen on Monday. “It was great to share the moment with my family and the people closest to me.’’
Before the draft, Stephen admittedly didn’t know when his name would be called during the three-day MLB Draft, which started on Sunday and ends today.
“I hoping for sooner rather than later,’’ he said.
The No. 88 prospect according to MLB Pipeline was an All-American this past season for the Mississippi State Bulldogs after going 8-3 with a 3.28 ERA while recording 107 strikeouts against just 21 walks in 96 innings. Before transferring this past year, Stephen pitched two seasons at Purdue, serving as the Boilermakers top starter in his junior season.
He was also a 2022 member of the Danville Dans. During that summer, he was 4-0 with 2.02 ERA. He had 36 strikeouts in 26.2 innings with the Dans. Last summer, Stephen pitched for the Yarmouth-Dennis Red Sox in the Cape Cod League. He was 2-2 with the Red Sox, striking out 27 in 26.1 innings.
Stephen says that he has elevated his game ‘big time’ over the past three seasons.
“I’ve learned a lot about pitch shaping, spin rate and even with my delivery,’’ he said. “It’s stuff that I wasn’t aware of when I was in high school. I have made big leaps thanks to my coaches.’’
Stephen drew high praise from the MLB Network commentators during Sunday’s broadcast of the draft.
“In terms of having a feel for four different pitches, I think he was one of the better pitchers in college baseball,’’ said MLB Pipeline’s Jim Callis following the pick. “His fastball, curveball, slider and changeup are all effective and he throws strikes.’’
Next up for Stephen is working out the details of his first professional contract.
Each pick in the first 10 rounds of the MLB Draft carries a slot value and each team has a bonus pool of money they can offer their picks.
The slot value for the No. 1 overall pick, Travis Bazzana, who was selected by the Cleveland Guardians is $10.57 million. As the 59th pick in the draft, the slot value for Stephen is $1.489 million.
While Stephen was the only local product taken in the first 10 rounds, he isn’t the only former member of the Danville Dans to hear their name called.
Kodey Shojinaga, a catcher from Kansas, and a member 2022 Danville Dans along with Stephen was taken in the sixth round with the 192nd pick by the Philadelphia Phillies. Shojinaga was limited to just seven games that summer because of a broken hand.