A Little Something To Get You Excited About Cubs' Prospect Caleb Kilian

 

Kilian was acquired in the Kris Bryant trade with the Giants and boy did it pay off (from what we can see.) Kilian played for Double A with the Giants and then with the Cubs for the rest of the season. He also played in the AFL (Arizona Fall League) and put up some amazing starts.

Between both Double A organizations, he posted a final 2.75 ERA in 78.2 IP. Despite inflated numbers during the AFL (5.14 ERA), due mainly to a couple starts that he was working on some pitches, he still impressed many, especially with his final start in the AFL Championship Game where he pitched 6 innings and allowed no runs. Check out his final start here:

I am super excited about Kilian's future with the Cubs, and after watching several videos of his pitching I think the dude will be ready for MLB before long. 

I found this video of Kilian's 2021 Highlights, and it is a good watch, especially seeing that rising fastball (touching at 98 MPH) and the changeup which has batters swinging at the ground.

Fangraphs thinks very highly of Kilian, as do I, putting him at No. 7 on the Cubs top prospects list, and also writing an article on his development that you can read here: Cubs Prospect Caleb Kilian Has Begun to Command Our Attention | FanGraphs Baseball

They also talk in detail about his other pitches he has developed and is working on developing, including a cutter, sinker, and a couple others that they discuss.

On his future with the Cubs, I say that he could easily make his MLB debut in 2022 but will likely start the year with Triple A and work on developing a couple other things first. Even if does not go higher than Triple A in 2022, it won't take him too long to make his way to the big leagues. If he debuts in 2022, then expect him to get a bullpen role first, but that doesn't mean that a rotation role with the Cubs won't be happening in the years ahead.

That's all I have on him today, but I hope you're as excited as I am about Kilian's future!