As Spring Training rolls on, the Chicago Cubs continue to evaluate potential fits for their pitching staff. With several spots still to be determined, Caleb Kilian is putting his best foot forward early in Cactus League action.
Once dubbed a top-end prospect in the Cubs' system, Kilian has experienced some bumps along the way. Since debuting with the Cubs in 2022, he owns a disastrous 12.42 ERA in six appearances over the last two seasons.
Those numbers and the influx of pitching the Cubs have added can result in Kilian getting overlooked. Though he was once projected as a starter, Kilian might be able to make a name for himself as a reliever.
The right-hander doesn't seem phased by his competition in Spring Training. Across two Cactus League appearances so far, Kilian has a 2.25 ERA and four strikeouts in four innings. It may be early, but Kilian is looking like a pleasant surprise. If he can keep it up, he'll be forcing the Cubs' hand when it comes to roster decisions out of camp.
Kilian was originally acquired in a trade that sent Cubs legend Kris Bryant to the San Francisco Giants in 2021. To say there have been high expectations for Kilian would be an understatement.
But there are plenty of cases of failed starters finding success upon moving to the bullpen. Look no further than current Cubs closer Adbert Alzolay, who certainly has found a home in the later innings of games.
If Kilian can truly flourish in a role out of the bullpen, it would go a long way toward bolstering an important position group that the Cubs primarily like to cultivate internally.
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