SF Giants reunite with former top pitching prospect in pair of minor league deals

The SF Giants have reunited with a former top pitching prospect. They have signed pitcher Caleb Kilian and infielder Buddy Kennedy to minor league deals, per the team's transaction log.

SF Giants reunite with former top pitching prospect in pair of minor league deals

Presumably, these deals will include camp invites. Both Kilian and Kennedy have major league experience. Interestingly, Kennedy briefly appeared with the Philadelphia Phillies, Toronto Blue Jays, and Los Angeles Dodgers in 2025.

You may remember that the Blue Jays and Dodgers faced off in the World Series, with the latter clinching that series in seven games. Kennedy should be the recipient of a World Series ring despite being in the Blue Jays organization during the playoffs.

Kennedy has also appeared with the Detroit Tigers and Arizona Diamondbacks in his major league career. In parts of four seasons, he has posted a .545 OPS with two home runs and 20 RBI in 181 plate appearances.

The right-handed bat has had much more success in the minors, recording an .816 OPS across eight minor league seasons. This includes a .280/.378/.412 line (116 wRC+) with eight home runs, 49 RBI and 50 runs in 384 plate appearances in Triple-A this past season.

Kennedy's strength in his offensive profile is swing decisions. He has a good understanding of the strike zone, and rarely chases out of the zone. The power upside is limited, so his offensive value is tied to how often he reaches base.

The 27-year-old has appeared primarily at third base as a pro. He does have experience at first base, second base, shortstop, and left field. Kennedy's time at shortstop and left field is extremely limited.

The Caleb Kilian signing reunites the former top pitching prospect with the Giants. He was originally an eighth-round pick by the club in 2019 out of Texas Tech University. Kilian rose quickly through the minors before he was shipped to the Chicago Cubs, along with Alexander Canario, in 2021 in a deal to acquire former NL MVP Kris Bryant.

Kilian struggled with command in the upper minors and never got an extended look with the Cubs. Overall, he has a 9.22 ERA in 27.1 frames in parts of three seasons with Chicago. In recent years, he has moved to the bullpen and has flashed a healthy, mid-90's fastball that he pairs with a cutter.

That type of velocity could lend itself to a bullpen role with the Giants. Kilian's four-seamer misses some bats, and his sinker induces plenty of ground balls. That is a combination that can have success, if the control shows improvement.