Caleb Kilian DVOA, Advanced Stats, & Fantasy Rankings

The Chicago Cubs have designated right-handed pitcher Caleb Kilian for assignment. This transaction opened a roster spot for left-handed pitcher Tom Cosgrove from the San Diego Padres for cash considerations. Kilian was drafted by the San Francisco Giants in the eighth round of the 2019 MLB Draft. He was traded to Chicago in the deal that sent Kris Bryant to the Bay Area in 2021. The 27-year-old has only logged 27 1/3 career innings in the major leagues and has posted an underwhelming 9.22 ERA with a 2.01 WHIP. He has struck out 21 batters and has walked 20. Through 274 career innings at Triple-A, Kilian posted a 4.37 ERA with a 1.40 WHIP. Kilian will report back to Triple-A Iowa if he does not draw interest on waivers.

The Chicago Cubs optioned pitchers Cody Poteet, Caleb Kilian, Jack Neely, and Gavin Hollowell to Triple-A on Saturday. Poteet spent the 2024 campaign with the New York Yankees and held a 2.22 ERA with a 1.07 WHIP across 24 1/3 innings. Kilian is a former well-regarded prospect but has struggled through his brief taste of the majors as he posted a high 9.22 ERA with a 2.01 WHIP across 27 1/3 innings. Neely made his MLB debut last summer and held a 9.00 ERA with a 1.67 WHIP across his first six MLB frames. Hollowell began his MLB career in Colorado and only logged one 1/3 innings with the Cubs last season. This transaction should provide Chris Flexen and Nate Pearson a good opportunity to make the Opening Day roster, who both signed a contract with the Cubs in the offseason.