Chicago Cubs prospect Caleb Kilian heating up in Triple-A

After a forgettable month of April for Chicago Cubs pitching prospect Caleb Kilian, which saw him put up an 18.90 ERA to the start of the season over just 14.2 IP, he has turned things around with a hot stretch across the last four weeks. Kilian got his inning count up to 19 for the month, but more importantly, he finished May with an explosive 2.84 ERA, surrendering just six earned runs throughout his four starts in May.

With his walk rate down to a 3.2 BB/9, he is already improving in issuing free passes. Most importantly, Kilian lowered the number of hits he gave up this month from 26 in April to 14 in May, with several more innings pitched this month as well. In doing so, he followed up his 2.181 WHIP in April by recording a much more respectable mark of 1.105 in May.

Alex Cohen gave Kilian another shoutout, noticing he was touching 98 mph on the radar gun. That velocity will always play at the major league level. We saw what Kilian was capable of in Spring Training, and if he can continue to harness his control and keep the ball off opposing hitters' barrels, he may be finally breaking out and putting it all together. Assuming he stays on this torrid stretch, he will have earned the right to receive another spot start for the Cubs when needed.

Kilian's breakout comes at the time of most importance for the Cubs' front office. Currently, with Jameson Taillon's production in limbo and an imminent return from Kyle Hendricks on the way shrouded in question marks, having a productive Kilian at the Triple-A level waiting for another chance to shine is something the Cubs are desperate for right now. The Hayden Wesneski experiment didn't work out as soon as the Cubs front office had planned, but it's a huge win for Jed Hoyer and crew if Kilian can come into his own now.

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