Top 50 Tuesday: Khal Stephen is the newest member of the Guardians' pitching factory

Welcome back to Top 50 Tuesday, your weekly check-in on the Guardians' future stars. This week, we're taking a closer look at Khal Stephen, the newest face in the organization who they got from Toronto in return for Shane Bieber.

The irony of the Guardians getting Stephen, a 22-year-old right-hander, in the trade that included a former Cy Young winner isn't lost on anyone.

The Guardians are renowned for their "pitching factory," and they used this trade to acquire a player who mirrors the kind of pitcher Bieber was when he was drafted: a college arm with excellent command and a high floor.

Stephen's pitching journey to this point has been all about growth. He started his college career as a reliever at Purdue before developing into a frontline starter at Mississippi State in 2024. He had a stellar 3.28 ERA in his long year with the Bulldogs to go along with 107 strikeouts and just 21 walks in 96 innings.

He complied a 2.06 ERA in 91 2/3 innings in the minors this year across three different levels, and had just made his Double-A debut prior to the trade. He's currently on the 7-day injured list with right shoulder impingement, but the injury isn't thought to be serious.

His arsenal is what makes him so intriguing. While his fastball sits in the low-to-mid 90s, it's the natural "carry" on the pitch that makes it so deceptive, which allows it to generate more swings and misses than the velocity would suggest.

He pairs that fastball with a changeup that has significant fade, a solid low-80s slider, and even a decent curveball. What truly sets him apart, though, is his control. He has a great feel for all four of his pitches and a smooth, athletic delivery that helps him consistently pound the strike zone.

While he may not have one single "plus" pitch, his combination of four quality offerings and plus control gives him a high floor. Scouts believe he's a safe bet to be at least a No. 4 starter, with the potential for even more. If the Guardians' coaching staff can work their magic, and he continues his rapid assent we could see him in Cleveland's rotation as soon as next season.

While some of the sizzle from the trade was diminished by the fact he's currently on the injured list, the Guardians specialize in turning promising arms into big-league mainstays. Stephen represents an exciting new addition to that pipeline. He's a perfect fit for an organization that values a deep, well-rounded arsenal and a pitcher who can consistently throw strikes.