Caleb Thielbar

Active

Chicago Cubs · Pitcher

Age 396' 0" · 205 lbsThrows Left

FBaseball Overview

At 39 years old, this veteran left-hander occupies a back-end relief role for the Cubs with limited win-loss and save opportunities in a crowded bullpen. His strikeout production has declined sharply from 56 K in 2025 to 29 K through early 2026, reflecting both reduced workload and a natural age-related decline in stuff. While his ERA and WHIP have both ticked upward this season compared to his strong 2025 campaign, he remains a depth option for managers seeking streaky strikeout production rather than a reliable source of wins or saves. The primary risk is further deterioration in velocity and command, though any uptick in usage could provide modest upside in games finished and innings pitched.

MLB Pitching

Year	Team	G	W	L	SV	ERA	WHIP	K	IP	BB
2013	Minnesota Twins	49	3	2	0	1.76	0.83	39	46.0	14
2014	Minnesota Twins	54	2	1	0	3.40	1.41	35	47.2	16
2015	Minnesota Twins	6	0	0	0	5.40	1.00	5	5.0	0
2020	Minnesota Twins	17	2	1	0	2.25	1.15	22	20.0	9
2021	Minnesota Twins	59	7	0	0	3.23	1.17	77	64.0	20
2022	Minnesota Twins	67	4	3	1	3.49	1.16	80	59.1	18
2023	Minnesota Twins	36	3	1	0	3.23	0.95	36	30.2	6
2024	Minnesota Twins	59	2	4	3	5.32	1.56	53	47.1	24
2025	Chicago Cubs	67	3	4	1	2.64	0.88	56	58.0	13
2026	Chicago Cubs	54	3	3	3	4.89	1.33	57	46.0	18
Career	Totals	468	29	19	8	3.44	1.16	460	424	138

Source: MLB Stats API · Multi-team seasons show combined totals — click to expand

Minor League Pitching

Year	Team	G	GS	W	L	SV	ERA	WHIP	K	IP	BB
2009	2 teams▼	16	2	6	1	0	1.53	1.11	48	47.0	8
2010	2 teams▼	39	0	0	2	3	5.19	1.40	52	67.2	14
2011	Fort Myers Miracle	3	1	1	0	0	0.00	0.82	5	7.1	5
2012	3 teams▼	48	1	6	2	6	2.43	1.09	74	77.2	21
2013	Rochester Red Wings	17	0	1	1	1	3.76	1.33	34	26.1	8
2015	2 teams▼	38	0	5	3	0	2.23	1.40	26	44.1	23
2018	2 teams▼	39	0	7	1	0	2.05	0.93	51	57	5
2019	2 teams▼	51	0	2	1	5	3.22	1.16	94	78.1	16
2022	St. Paul Saints	1	0	0	0	0	0.00	0.00	1	1.0	0
2023	St. Paul Saints	4	0	1	0	0	0.00	0.50	5	4.0	1
2024	St. Paul Saints	2	0	1	0	0	3.00	1.00	5	3.0	1
2026	South Bend Cubs	1	0	0	0	0	0.00	2.00	2	1.0	1
Career	Totals	259	4	30	11	15	2.86	1.17	397	414.2	103

Source: MLB Stats API · Multi-team seasons show combined totals — click to expand

Game Log2026 MLB

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Advanced Stats2026 season · via Baseball Savant

Click for year to year changes

FB Velo93.3 mph

Avg Spin2409 rpm

Whiff %28.5%

K %29.2%

BB %8.9%

Hard Hit %40.2%

Barrel %11.1%

xERA4.56

xBA Against0.237

xSLG Against0.463

BA Against0.249

SLG Against0.468

What These Stats Mean

FB Velo — Average fastball velocity. Harder throwers generate more swings and misses, setting up every other pitch in their arsenal. Velocity is the foundation of strikeout upside.

Avg Spin — Average spin rate across all pitches. Higher spin creates more movement and makes pitches harder to square up — elite spinners run better strikeout and batting average against numbers.

Whiff % — Swings-and-misses per swing. The most direct measure of a pitcher's ability to miss bats and the best leading indicator of strikeout rate.

K % — Strikeout rate per batter faced. The core fantasy pitching stat — high K% means reliable strikeout totals that hold up even in shorter starts.

BB % — Walk rate per batter faced. The primary control metric. High BB% tanks ERA and WHIP and keeps baserunners on constantly. Elite starters typically run below 7%.

Hard Hit % — Percentage of batted balls hit 95 mph or harder against. Low hard-hit% means weak contact, protecting both ERA and the defense behind the pitcher.

Barrel % — Percentage of batted balls barreled against. The most direct home run predictor — low barrel% pitchers rarely give up long balls.

xERA — Expected ERA based on contact quality allowed, removing the effect of sequencing, luck, and defense. Better predictor of future ERA than ERA itself.

xBA Against — Expected batting average opponents should hit based on contact quality. A gap between xBA and actual BA indicates unsustainable luck in either direction.

xSLG Against — Expected slugging allowed based on contact quality. High xSLG against predicts future extra-base damage; low xSLG means the pitcher is genuinely suppressing power.

BA Against — Actual batting average opponents are hitting — a key WHIP component. Check xBA to see if the number is sustainable.

SLG Against — Actual slugging allowed. Captures hits, doubles, triples, and home runs — lower means the pitcher is limiting the power damage he gives up.

GB% — Ground ball rate. High GB% pitchers generate double plays, limit home runs, and keep the ball in the park — great for protecting ERA and WHIP ratios.

FB% — Fly ball rate. High FB% pitchers give up more air contact — dangerous when combined with high exit velocity, less so when contact is soft.

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Year

Team

ERA

WHIP

2013

Minnesota Twins

1.76

0.83

46.0

2014

Minnesota Twins

3.40

1.41

47.2

2015

Minnesota Twins

5.40

1.00

5.0

2020

Minnesota Twins

2.25

1.15

20.0

2021

Minnesota Twins

3.23

1.17

64.0

2022

Minnesota Twins

3.49

1.16

59.1

2023

Minnesota Twins

3.23

0.95

30.2

2024

Minnesota Twins

5.32

1.56

47.1

2025

Chicago Cubs

2.64

0.88

58.0

2026

Chicago Cubs

4.89

1.33

46.0

Career

Totals

468

3.44

1.16

460

424

138

Year

Team

ERA

WHIP

2009

2 teams▼

1.53

1.11

47.0

2010

2 teams▼

5.19

1.40

67.2

2011

Fort Myers Miracle

0.00

0.82

7.1

2012

3 teams▼

2.43

1.09

77.2

2013

Rochester Red Wings

3.76

1.33

26.1

2015

2 teams▼

2.23

1.40

44.1

2018

2 teams▼

2.05

0.93

2019

2 teams▼

3.22

1.16

78.1

2022

St. Paul Saints

0.00

1.0

2023

St. Paul Saints

0.00

0.50

4.0

2024

St. Paul Saints

3.00

1.00

3.0

2026

South Bend Cubs

0.00

2.00

1.0

Career

Totals

259

2.86

1.17

397

414.2

103