Cubs Prospect Has Rough Start In Miami

Caleb Kilian, one of the Chicago Cubs’ top prospects, had a rough outing in a 7-6 loss to the Miami Marlins on Saturday.

The 25-year-old rookie threw 40 pitches and faced 11 batters in the first inning.

The young right-hander gave up five runs in the first and seven runs on 10 hits in 3 1/3 innings.

Not the start Kilian or the Cubs wanted.

"He's not ready," Cubs manager David Ross said. "He's still got learning to do, still needs seasoning."

It appeared as if the Marlins were locked in on Kilian’s pitches. To be fair, many young pitchers get roughed up at first.

It does take time.

"I think with the adrenaline, just being in the big leagues, I was a little too quick,” Kilian told reporters. “I didn't quite catch up, so I was kind of just spraying it around the first inning."

Kilian did reach 97 miles-per-hour on his fastball.

At some point this season or beyond, he’ll be ready to help the Cubs.

"The stuff's there, for sure," Cubs catcher Tucker Barnhart told reporters. "I think I saw he was up to 96 or 97 with his fastball. Whenever you have that velo, it makes it difficult on hitters. But both of his breaking balls were really good. He was able to command the cutter after the first inning when we needed it."

Kilian struggled at times last season in the Minors and in a short stint with the Cubs.

He’ll keep working to prove that he ultimately belongs in Wrigley Field.

“Do I think Caleb's the finished product?" Ross said. "I don't think any of us believe that -- there's a long way to go. I don't think Justin Steele is a finished product, right? There's a lot that these guys learn at this level, going up and down, waiting for their opportunity, and continuing to grow as players."