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The success that Cade Horton has had this season with the Chicago Cubs is what many fans initially envisioned for Caleb Kilian after the Cubs acquired him in the Kris Bryant trade with the San Francisco Giants. Once viewed as the Cubs' best pitching prospect, the excitement over Kilian's potential quickly disappeared as he struggled to find his command.
Kilian has walked over 14% of the hitters he has faced throughout the 27 and 1/3 innings he has sporadically pitched over the last three seasons. It wasn't a real surprise earlier this season when the Cubs designated Kilian for assignment, as it became evident that his development with the team had stalled.
Despite that reality, the Cubs brought back Kilian on a minor-league deal, and while an injury has kept him sidelined for most of 2025, the 28-year-old righty rejoined the Iowa Cubs as a relief pitcher last month and has been finding some success. In just over 12 innings pitched as a reliever with the I-Cubs, Kilian has an ERA of 2.19 with 11 strikeouts. It also seems that Kilian has gained some velocity on his fastball.
Kilian has been absolutely phenomenal out of the bullpen for the @IowaCubs this season. https://t.co/QiFauEtORD
— Tommy Birch (@TommyBirch) September 10, 2025
Cubs pitching prospect isn’t who fans expected to resurface—but here he is
Anytime a relief pitcher is capable of throwing 100 mph, it seems that they will be ticketed for a Major League bullpen. As the Cubs churn through arms in their bullpen as they map out their pitching staff ahead of the playoffs, Kilian may get another look at the Major League level before the end of the season. The premise would be somewhat similar to the idea that Jaxon Wiggins could get a promotion, giving Craig Counsell another "out-getter" while the Cubs work with a bullpen that currently does not include Daniel Palencia.
All this being said, the issue that has plagued Kilian's career to this point seems to still be a concern. Kilian has walked 6 in his latest run with the I-Cubs, and ultimately, that could be the reason why he remains in the minors to end the season.