He had a 9–2 win-loss record and a 1.69 earned run average (ERA) as a sophomore and was named a junior college All-American.

[3][4] On July 31, 2013, the Padres traded Stites along with Joe Thatcher to the Arizona Diamondbacks for Ian Kennedy.

[6] On June 19, 2014, Stites was recalled to Arizona's roster, replacing Tony Campana.

On March 22, 2018, Stites signed with the York Revolution of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball.

[2] His older brother, Cody, serves in the United States Air Force.