 Coincidentally, Stearns was also drafted ahead of Winfield in the NFL draft, as the Minnesota Vikings drafted Winfield in the 17th round six picks after the Bills drafted Stearns.Stearns's professional career started with Philadelphia's Eastern League affiliate, the Reading Phillies in , but did not start particularly well.After batting just .241 in double A, he was sent to the high-A Carolina League's Rocky Mount Phillies for and improved drastically.