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Player Outlook
Caleb Kilian has had a few cups of coffee at the MLB level the last two seasons, though he's yet to make a real impact. In 2023, the righty appeared in three games for the Cubs, posting a rough 16.88 ERA across 5.1 innings. He also appeared in three games in 2022, posting a 10.32 ERA across 11.1 innings. It's not a very promising start for Kilian, though it's of course still a fairly small sample size. The 26-year-old was part of the trade package San Francisco sent Chicago to acquire Kris Bryant, and the skills are there for improved performance. Kilian averaged 94 mph on his fastball last year, and while his K/9 sat below 8.5 for both the Cubs and Triple-A Omaha, he did post a 10.59 K/9 in the minors a season earlier. Heading into 2024, it seems unlikely that Kilian begins the year in Chicago's rotation, as Jordan Wicks, Javier Assad and Hayden Wesneski are all likely ahead of him in the competition for the final few starting spots. Kilian is worth keeping an eye on, particularly if he impresses in the minors and earns a promotion, though his fantasy value is limited at this point.

Fantasy Stats

Year fpts
Fantasy Points
fpts/g
Fantasy Points per Game
ip
Innings Pitched
w
Wins
l
Losses
sv
Saves
so
Strikeouts
bb
Base on Balls (Walk)
era
Earned Run Average
whip
Walks and Hits Allowed Per Inning
2024 0.00 0.00
2023 -15.5-5.2 5.3 1 5 2 16.88 2.81
2022 -8.5-2.8 11.3 2 9 12 10.32 2.03
3y Avg. -14.5-4.8 8.3 2 7 7 12.96 2.28

Fantasy News

  • Cubs' Caleb Kilian: Lands on 60-day IL

    The Cubs placed Kilian (shoulder) on the 60-day injured list Thursday. Kilian was diagnosed in early March with a teres major strain in his right shoulder. The team noted at the time that it's an injury that can have a wide range of timelines, but the righty is likely to be out at least until around the All-Star break.
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  • Cubs' Caleb Kilian: Diagnosed with teres major strain

    Cubs manager Craig Counsell said that Kilian will be sidelined until around the All-Star break after an MRI revealed a teres major strain in his right shoulder, Meghan Montemurro of the Chicago Tribune reports. Counsell noted that it's the type of injury which can have varying timelines, but Kilian isn't expected to be pitching anytime soon. The loss of Kilian is a hit to the team's starting pitching depth, as he was likely slated to open the season in the Triple-A Iowa rotation.
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  • Cubs' Caleb Kilian: Looks sharp in spring opener

    Kilian logged two scoreless innings with two strikeouts in Friday's Cactus League game against the White Sox. Kilian was the third pitcher to appear in the contest for the Cubs and he looked sharp. The righty has appeared in six games (four starts) for Chicago over the past two years and could be in the running for a bullpen role this spring if he pitches well. Kilian doesn't seem like a realistic option for a rotation spot at this point, though he could be on the radar for spot starts when needed.
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  • Cubs' Caleb Kilian: Optioned back to Iowa

    The Cubs optioned Kilian to Triple-A Iowa on Tuesday, Meghan Montemurro of the Chicago Tribune reports. Kilian has surrendered 10 earned runs in just 5.1 innings of work this season at the major-league level. Michael Rucker will join Chicago's bullpen Tuesday in a corresponding roster move.
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  • Cubs' Caleb Kilian: Promoted Sunday

    Kilian was recalled from Triple-A Iowa on Sunday, Andy Martinez of Marquee Sports Network reports. The 26-year-old made a spot start for the Cubs in late April but was sent back to Triple-A after he surrendered seven runs across 3.1 innings. Kilian has continued to work as a starter at Iowa and has a 3.97 ERA over 88.1 innings, but he'll likely work out of the bullpen for Chicago.
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  • Cubs' Caleb Kilian: Rocked in spot start

    Kilian (0-1) took the loss Saturday, allowing seven runs on 10 hits and two walks over 3.1 innings against Miami. He struck out four. Kilian was called up from Triple-A to start in place of Jameson Taillon (groin) on Saturday and got yanked after just 3.1 innings. Despite not allowing a home run, Kilian was tagged for seven earned runs and 10 hits, each of which were career-highs. Going back to last season, Kilian has given up at least five earned runs in each of his last three starts and has yet to pick up a win in the big leagues after going 0-2 in 2022. Considering his massive struggles against a Marlins roster that has averaged the third-fewest runs per game (3.39) this season, it's unclear if Kilian will toe the rubber any time soon. Regardless, he remains an unsavory fantasy option.
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  • Cubs' Caleb Kilian: Recalled for start at Miami

    Kilian was recalled from Triple-A Iowa and will start for the Cubs on Saturday against the Marlins, Meghan Montemurro of the Chicago Tribune reports. As planned, Kilian gets the call to fill in for Jameson Taillon (groin) at loanDepot park in Miami. The 25-year-old right-hander allowed 15 runs -- 13 earned -- over his first 11.1 major-league innings last season and was showing an ugly 7.15 ERA through 11.1 innings this year at Triple-A Iowa. He is not a recommended fantasy streamer.
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  • Cubs' Caleb Kilian: Lined up for spot start

    Kilian threw a bullpen session Thursday and isn't listed among Triple-A Iowa probable starting pitchers this weekend, suggesting he could be called up to make a spot start for the Cubs on Saturday in Miami, Tommy Birch of The Des Moines Register reports. The Cubs require a new fifth starter this week with Jameson Taillon (groin) recently moving to the injured list, and all signs point to Kilian getting the first chance to replace him. After being lit up for eight earned runs in his 2023 debut for Iowa on April 2, Kilian rebounded nicely over his most recent two outings, logging a 1.00 ERA and 1.11 WHIP across nine innings. In lieu of a start, Kilian threw a simulated game at Iowa a few days ago to stay sharp, so he should be able to provide the Cubs with a decent amount of length if he does in fact get the call to the big leagues Saturday.
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  • Cubs' Caleb Kilian: Optioned to minors

    Kilian was optioned to Triple-A Iowa on Saturday, Meghan Montemurro of the Chicago Tribune reports. He allowed one run on two hits while striking out two over four innings in two appearances this spring. Kilian will work on putting the finishing touches on his development at Triple-A while he awaits another opportunity in the big-league rotation at some point this summer.
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  • Cubs' Caleb Kilian: Mixed results back in Triple-A

    Kilian has put up a 4.72 ERA, 1.46 WHIP and 48:19 K:BB across 34.1 innings (eight starts) since returning to Triple-A. That's not exactly the stat line you want to see from your most advanced pitching prospect after his first taste of the majors, but Kilian has never been a super-high-upside arm. The 25-year-old's season-long WHIP in Triple-A is a poor 1.40, and while Kilian has shown notable strikeout ability, he hasn't pitched deep into games very often and is walking far too many batters. The Cubs are still treating him as a potential starter in the long run, but there's relief risk here.
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  • Cubs' Caleb Kilian: Returns to Triple-A

    Kilian was optioned to Triple-A Iowa on Tuesday, Maddie Lee of the Chicago Sun-Times reports. The 25-year-old surrendered seven runs (five earned) over 2.1 innings Monday and will now make his way back to the minors. Kilian is Chicago's top pitching prospect, but he struggled across his first three starts in the majors with a 10.32 ERA, 2.03 WHIP and 9:12 K:BB in 11.1 innings.
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  • Cubs' Caleb Kilian: Struggles with command Monday

    Kilian (0-2) allowed seven runs (five earned) on three hits across 2.1 innings to take the loss Monday against the Pirates. He walked five and struck out three. Kilian couldn't find the plate Monday, as he walked five of the 15 batters he faced and also uncorked a wild pitch. Through 11.1 innings so far this season, the 25-year-old now has 11 walks. Kilian is considered the Cubs' top pitching prospect, though it seems like he still needs some refinement before taking off at the MLB level. For now, he's slated to start again Saturday against the Cardinals, but he may return to Triple-A Iowa at some point.
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  • Cubs' Caleb Kilian: Remains in rotation

    Kilian is listed as the Cubs' starting pitcher for Monday's game in Pittsburgh. Even though the rookie has been roughed up for eight earned runs while issuing seven walks in nine innings between his first two big-league starts, manager David Ross intimated after Kilian's most recent outing June 15 against the Padres that the right-hander would be part of the rotation moving forward. Whether Kilian sticks around as a starter once the likes of Marcus Stroman (shoulder), Wade Miley (shoulder) and Drew Smyly (oblique) return from the 15-day injured list is still undetermined, but the 25-year-old should get at least two more starts to prove he belongs in the big leagues.
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  • Cubs' Caleb Kilian: Set to start Wednesday

    Kilian will be called up from Triple-A Iowa to start Wednesday against the Padres, Meghan Montemurro of the Chicago Tribune reports. Kilian made his big-league debut June 5 and allowed three runs across five innings, and he'll rejoin Chicago on Wednesday for his second outing. The right-hander may receive a longer look in the rotation this time around since the Cubs currently have veterans Marcus Stroman (shoulder), Wade Miley (shoulder) and Drew Smyly (oblique) on the injured list. The 25-year-old Kilian has made 10 starts at Triple-A this season and has a 2.51 ERA, 1.35 WHIP and 47:16 K:BB over 43 innings.
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  • Cubs' Caleb Kilian: Called up ahead of start

    Kilian's contract was selected from Triple-A Iowa ahead of his start in the second game of Saturday's doubleheader against the Cardinals, Tim Stebbins of NBC Sports Chicago reports. Kilian is a top prospect in the organization and will make his major-league debut during Saturday's nightcap. The right-hander has been effective in Iowa early in 2022, posting a 2.06 ERA, 41:15 K:BB and 1.28 WHIP in 39.1 innings. Although the 25-year-old needed some time to establish his mid-90s fastball velocity this year, he'll now get a chance to prove himself with the big-league club. If he impresses during Saturday's start, it wouldn't be surprising to see him remain in the rotation.
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  • Cubs' Caleb Kilian: Opening at Triple-A

    Kilian, the Cubs' top pitching prospect, will open the year at Triple-A Iowa, Tommy Birch of the Des Moines Register reports. The headliner in the return from San Francisco for Kris Bryant and the MVP of the Arizona Fall League championship game, Kilian hadn't pitched in big-league spring training, so it's good to hear that he's healthy and ready for the minor-league season. The Cubs' rotation lacks viable depth, so Kilian could get the call to the majors sometime this summer.
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