The Cleveland Guardians’ competition for spots in the starting rotation has been one of the highlights of spring training. With six pitchers vying for five jobs, it’s obvious the organization has admirable current depth in that area.
Fortunately, it goes beyond that, as well. In trading away former AL CY Young Award winner Shane Bieber to the Toronto Blue Jays during last season, the Guardians were able to acquire top pitching prospect Khal Stephen. The right-hander is entering his first full year with the franchise as its No. 7 overall prospect, according to MLB.com.
Speaking at spring training, Stephen said he is excited to grow in the Cleveland system, based on its reputation for developing pitchers.
“It’s a cool situation to be in. Definitely something that is a big part of my career now. Just trying to be positive about it all. There’s a reputation of pitching here, and getting to be a part of the development process here is something I’m enjoying now and was excited for then,” Stephen said.
"There's a reputation of pitching here"#Guardians RHP Khal Stephen on finding out he was getting traded for Shane Bieber and his excitement to be in a pitching development system like Cleveland's#GuardsBall @WEWS pic.twitter.com/QnDxGWjQkw
— Mason Horodyski (@MasonHorodyski) March 13, 2026
Stephen was a second-round pick in the 2024 MLB Draft by the Blue Jays, and he was their No. 11 overall prospect heading into last season. He worked his way up to Double-A in the Toronto organization, and that is where he pitched in the Cleveland system after the trade for Bieber, the 2020 Cy Young winner who was heading toward potential free agency after his recovery from Tommy John surgery.
In four starts for Akron, Stephen struggled a bit, which could have had a lot to do with the abrupt change in scenery and a right shoulder issue he was dealing with. He had a 6.35 ERA and allowed 17 hits with a .347 batting average against in 11.1 innings. Encouragingly, he struck out 11 while only walking two.
Stephen has not pitched in a major league game for the Guardians during this spring training. Interestingly, he is listed two spots behind fellow pitching prospect Parker Messick on the Guardians’ overall list, and one spot ahead of Braylon Doughty.
Messick, who performed well as a late-season call-up to the Guardians in 2025, is still competing for a spot in the 2026 rotation. The decision for the final two spots is likely to come down to him, Joey Cantillo, or Logan Allen to slot in behind Gavin Williams, Tanner Bibee, and Slade Cecconi.
Someday soon, Stephen may be entering that mix too.
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