Former Chicago Cubs top prospect Caleb Kilian has returned to the organization on a minor league contract, keeping hope alive that the team can salvage their return from the Kris Bryant trade.
The Cubs released Kilian last Saturday after designating him for assignment to make room for reliever Tom Cosgrove, who was acquired in exchange for cash from the San Diego Padres. It looked like the final piece of the Kris Bryant trade had been lost to the Cubs, but now there is still a chance to get some value out of Kilian.
Kilian came to the Cubs alongside outfielder Alexander Canario at the 2021 trade deadline, when Bryant was sent to the San Francisco Giants. Canario was traded by the Cubs during Spring Training earlier this year, since there was no room for him on the major league roster.
Kilian has always had great potential, and he was even the highest-ranked pitcher in Chicago's system at one point. But he has struggled mightily in recent years. In 58 starts for the Iowa Cubs from 2022-2024, Kilian owned a 5.09 ERA and he failed to meaningfully make an impact in the eight games he pitched in the majors. The guy just never looked comfortable on the mound, and he always seemed to struggle with his command (20 walks over 27.1 innings in MLB).
Kilian still has good zip on his mid-90s fastball, and he has five other offerings in his arsenal. With starting pitching depth a strength for the Cubs right now and Kilian's prolonged struggles as a starter, it could be time to transform him into a full-time reliever. Maybe ditching some of the secondary offerings that don't work as well and focusing more on the fastball, cutter, and slider is the way forward for Kilian.
Either way, Kilian clearly needs to change something about his game, and it would be great to see him figure something out in 2025 as the Cubs' bullpen could use more depth.
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