Top pitching prospect Caleb Kilian to make MLB debut |
Chicago Cubs manager David Ross said after the 14-5 loss to the Cardinals on Friday night that top pitching prospect Caleb Kilian will be start the second game of the doubleheader on Saturday.
"The Game 2 starter will be Kilian," Ross said to the media. Ross believes that Kilian could be a solid big-league pitcher. "He seems like a hard worker, good makeup," he said. "He has a real chance to have everyday big-league starter-type stuff and continue to get better every day. I know he wants to grow, wants to learn. The little bit I've been around him, there's a pretty good energy about him. He's got a nice fastball and is pitching really well." Kilian is ranked as the Cubs' No. 5 prospect according to MLB Pipeline and was acquired in the Kris Bryant trade last summer. He has a 2.06 ERA in nine starts with Iowa this season. In 2021, he had a 2.42 ERA with 112 strikeouts across three levels in the minors with the Giants and Cubs.