2023 / AS A SOPHOMORE
• Third Team All-Big Ten
• Academic All-Big Ten
• Pitched in 14 games, all starts
• Started Purdue's season, home and Big Ten openers
• Led the way as the Boilermakers went 6-2 on Fridays in Big Ten play
• Recognized as the team's Pitcher of the Year
• Program's first sophomore to be the Opening Day starter since 2016; went on to become Purdue's first sophomore to be an All-Big Ten pitcher since 2017
• Helped the Boilermakers win three straight series openers twice from March 24 to May 5, with the team winning six of his seven starts during that stretch
• Struck out seven through six innings and limited the home team to just two runs through six as Purdue became the first visiting team to win on a Friday at Maryland since May 2019
2022 / AS A FRESHMAN
• Pitched in a team-high 23 games, all in relief
• Purdue's first freshman to lead the team in appearances since 2001
• Emerged as the team's top high-leverage reliever for much of the season, helping the team win key games down the stretch vs. Michigan, Iowa and Northwestern
• Averaged 10.16 strikeouts per nine innings, moving into ninth place on Purdue's single-season list (minimum 30 innings)
• Struck out five of the six batters he faced in the May 10 vs. Butler, posting the best clip (83%) of batters struck out with a minimum five Ks since 2005
• Also fanned six of 12 batters faced in the game 2 win at Iowa, including four in a row
• In the Purdue win at Iowa, stranded runners on second and third by striking out the 7-8-9 hitters in order
• Impressed in summer ball while pitching for the Danville Dans of the Prospect League in the month of June
• Named the Prospect League's Roland Hemond Pro Prospect of the Year after going 4-0 with a 2.02 ERA and 36 strikeouts vs. 19 hits in 26 2/3 innings
HIGH SCHOOL
• Lettered for coach Reed Foxworthy at Seeger High School, located west of Greater Lafayette near the Illinois state line
• Also a multi-year all-conference performer in football
• Earned 11 varsity letters overall
• Lafayette Journal & Courier Small School Area Player of the Year as a senior
• As a standout safety on the gridiron, also was the Journal & Courier’s Area Defensive Player of the Year as a senior
• Racked up 100 strikeouts vs. seven walks in 51 2/3 innings in 2021
• All-state and Indiana North-South All-Star game selection in both football and baseball
• Two-way standout batted .541 with 26 extra-base hits and 40 RBI while compiling a 1.35 ERA and .165 batting average against on the mound as a senior
• Registered 99 strikeouts as a sophomore on varsity
• Scored five touchdowns and kick all five extra points in a Seeger win as a junior, accounting for all of his team’s 35 points
• Helped Seeger win 15 consecutive games and reach the sectional championship game in 2021
• Also played for the Indiana Nitro travel ball team, winning a 17U state championship
• Continued as a two-way player for the Bomb Square in the Grand Park League in the summer of 2021
• All-A honor roll student
• National Honor Society
PERSONAL
• Major: Finance
• Full name is Michael Khalden Stephen
• Born in Danville, Illinois
• Parents Mark and Kris Stephen
• Family also includes older brother Khade and Khayne
• Khade played football and baseball at Hanover College in Hanover, Indiana
PURDUE PERSONAL PREFERENCES
Favorite Pro Team: St. Louis Cardinals
Traditionally Roots Against (Pro Rival): Chicago Cubs and Cincinnati Reds
Favorite Athlete: Cal Ripken Jr.
Had the Biggest Impact on His Athletic Career: Mark Stephen, Father
Favorite Playoff Format/Marquee Event: NCAA Tournament
Favorite Pro Stadium: Dodger Stadium
Favorite Field He’s Played at (Besides Alexander): Jim Patterson Stadium - University of Louisville
Toughest Hitter for Him to Face Among Teammates: Mike Bolton
Funniest Teammate: Zach Fletcher
Current Teammate with the Best Baseball Instincts: Evan Albrecht
Purdue Staff Member He Enjoys Strongest Connection With: Chris Marx
In His Favorite Playlist: Eminem
Would Love to See Her Play Purdue: Shakira
Favorite Multi-Media App: Instagram
Favorite Super-Hero/Sci-Fi Series: Spider-Man
Show He Can’t Stop Watching: Trailer Park Boys
Favorite Video Game or System: Fortnite & MLB The Show
Favorite Month: December
Favorite Holiday: Christmas
Pick One – Breakfast, Lunch or Dinner: Dinner
Favorite Food: Steak & Potatoes
Favorite Dessert: Blackberry Cheesecake
Favorite Outdoor Activity: Boating on a Lake
Another Sport He Enjoys Playing: Football
Favorite Purdue Building: Wiley Residence Hall
Favorite Big City: Atlanta
Unique Travel Locale: Dominican Republic
Country He’d Like to Visit: Spain
Pick One for a Vacation – Beach or Mountains: Beach
Favorite Thing About Alexander Field: Field is always pure
Most Memorable Game/Moment at Purdue: Taking the mound in full uniform for the first time
Top Sports Moment Prior to Purdue: Being a role model for young kids from my community
Enjoyed this Professor’s Class: Dr. Andrew Freed, Geophysics & Planetary Sciences
• Third Team All-Big Ten
• Academic All-Big Ten
• Pitched in 14 games, all starts
• Started Purdue's season, home and Big Ten openers
• Led the way as the Boilermakers went 6-2 on Fridays in Big Ten play
• Recognized as the team's Pitcher of the Year
• Program's first sophomore to be the Opening Day starter since 2016; went on to become Purdue's first sophomore to be an All-Big Ten pitcher since 2017
• Helped the Boilermakers win three straight series openers twice from March 24 to May 5, with the team winning six of his seven starts during that stretch
• Struck out seven through six innings and limited the home team to just two runs through six as Purdue became the first visiting team to win on a Friday at Maryland since May 2019
2022 / AS A FRESHMAN
• Pitched in a team-high 23 games, all in relief
• Purdue's first freshman to lead the team in appearances since 2001
• Emerged as the team's top high-leverage reliever for much of the season, helping the team win key games down the stretch vs. Michigan, Iowa and Northwestern
• Averaged 10.16 strikeouts per nine innings, moving into ninth place on Purdue's single-season list (minimum 30 innings)
• Struck out five of the six batters he faced in the May 10 vs. Butler, posting the best clip (83%) of batters struck out with a minimum five Ks since 2005
• Also fanned six of 12 batters faced in the game 2 win at Iowa, including four in a row
• In the Purdue win at Iowa, stranded runners on second and third by striking out the 7-8-9 hitters in order
• Impressed in summer ball while pitching for the Danville Dans of the Prospect League in the month of June
• Named the Prospect League's Roland Hemond Pro Prospect of the Year after going 4-0 with a 2.02 ERA and 36 strikeouts vs. 19 hits in 26 2/3 innings
HIGH SCHOOL
• Lettered for coach Reed Foxworthy at Seeger High School, located west of Greater Lafayette near the Illinois state line
• Also a multi-year all-conference performer in football
• Earned 11 varsity letters overall
• Lafayette Journal & Courier Small School Area Player of the Year as a senior
• As a standout safety on the gridiron, also was the Journal & Courier’s Area Defensive Player of the Year as a senior
• Racked up 100 strikeouts vs. seven walks in 51 2/3 innings in 2021
• All-state and Indiana North-South All-Star game selection in both football and baseball
• Two-way standout batted .541 with 26 extra-base hits and 40 RBI while compiling a 1.35 ERA and .165 batting average against on the mound as a senior
• Registered 99 strikeouts as a sophomore on varsity
• Scored five touchdowns and kick all five extra points in a Seeger win as a junior, accounting for all of his team’s 35 points
• Helped Seeger win 15 consecutive games and reach the sectional championship game in 2021
• Also played for the Indiana Nitro travel ball team, winning a 17U state championship
• Continued as a two-way player for the Bomb Square in the Grand Park League in the summer of 2021
• All-A honor roll student
• National Honor Society
PERSONAL
• Major: Finance
• Full name is Michael Khalden Stephen
• Born in Danville, Illinois
• Parents Mark and Kris Stephen
• Family also includes older brother Khade and Khayne
• Khade played football and baseball at Hanover College in Hanover, Indiana
PURDUE PERSONAL PREFERENCES
Favorite Pro Team: St. Louis Cardinals
Traditionally Roots Against (Pro Rival): Chicago Cubs and Cincinnati Reds
Favorite Athlete: Cal Ripken Jr.
Had the Biggest Impact on His Athletic Career: Mark Stephen, Father
Favorite Playoff Format/Marquee Event: NCAA Tournament
Favorite Pro Stadium: Dodger Stadium
Favorite Field He’s Played at (Besides Alexander): Jim Patterson Stadium - University of Louisville
Toughest Hitter for Him to Face Among Teammates: Mike Bolton
Funniest Teammate: Zach Fletcher
Current Teammate with the Best Baseball Instincts: Evan Albrecht
Purdue Staff Member He Enjoys Strongest Connection With: Chris Marx
In His Favorite Playlist: Eminem
Would Love to See Her Play Purdue: Shakira
Favorite Multi-Media App: Instagram
Favorite Super-Hero/Sci-Fi Series: Spider-Man
Show He Can’t Stop Watching: Trailer Park Boys
Favorite Video Game or System: Fortnite & MLB The Show
Favorite Month: December
Favorite Holiday: Christmas
Pick One – Breakfast, Lunch or Dinner: Dinner
Favorite Food: Steak & Potatoes
Favorite Dessert: Blackberry Cheesecake
Favorite Outdoor Activity: Boating on a Lake
Another Sport He Enjoys Playing: Football
Favorite Purdue Building: Wiley Residence Hall
Favorite Big City: Atlanta
Unique Travel Locale: Dominican Republic
Country He’d Like to Visit: Spain
Pick One for a Vacation – Beach or Mountains: Beach
Favorite Thing About Alexander Field: Field is always pure
Most Memorable Game/Moment at Purdue: Taking the mound in full uniform for the first time
Top Sports Moment Prior to Purdue: Being a role model for young kids from my community
Enjoyed this Professor’s Class: Dr. Andrew Freed, Geophysics & Planetary Sciences