July 10, 2025
Right-handed pitcher Khal Stephen has been putting up impressive numbers during his first professional season.
Pitching 81 2/3 innings between Low-A and High-A; Stephen has a WHIP of 0.91 and has racked up 92 K’s.
“The biggest difference I’ve noticed is how important count leverage is in High-A,” explained Stephen. “There isn’t as much swing-and-miss early in counts in High-A. If you throw a ball, or even a close pitch to begin an at-bat, they won’t swing at it. There’s a fine line between being aggressive and trying to get ahead. Obviously, you don’t want guys to barrel your stuff up, but throwing strikes early and staying ahead is a big thing in High-A.”
Currently using a five-pitch mix of: a 4-seam fastball, a slider, a curveball, a splitter, and a cutter; Stephen works everything off of his fastball.
“I have what they call a rise heater,” stated Stephen. “So, basically I play everything off of my heater. Like, if it’s heater up, I can go curveball, heater middle, I can go slider, heater in, I can go cutter, heater away, I can go splitter; all of my pitches pair with my heater. That is kind of how I built my arsenal.”
With two breaking balls to choose form, Stephen talks about how he uses his slider and curveball.
“I really like my slider when I’m trying to strike somebody out,” Stephen added. “If the count or situation doesn’t call for a heater, or if we need to switch the speed or switch the look, I use my slider. For me, the curveball is more of an early in the count pitch. I use it to steal a strike, or to get guys off their toes with the velo difference.”
The righty credits his success to his approach on the mound, “I’m an extremely confident strike thrower,” explained Stephen. “I’m a guy that’s going to fill-up the zone, limit walks, and compete every single time I’m out there. I hate being taken out of a game – whether it’s pitch count, or I got into a little trouble, it infuriates me. I want to close every inning I start, and I want to compete every game I start.”
Be sure to follow Khal Stephen, as he continues to impress for years to come.