Kennedy played in 13 big league games in 2025, split between the Phillies (four games), Blue Jays (two games) and Dodgers (seven games). With Kennedy out of minor league options, he had to be designated for assignment rather than simply sent to Triple-A, resulting in a series of DFAs, outrights, a waiver claim and two separate stints in the Toronto organization. Despite his short time with both the Dodgers and Blue Jays, Kennedy was guaranteed a World Series ring regardless of who won the Fall Classic, which provided a nice bonus at the end of his fourth MLB season.
Kennedy began his professional career with the Diamondbacks organization, hitting .178/.271/.274 in 181 big league at-bats in 67 games with five different teams. His minor league numbers are considerably better (.281/.388/.429 with 33 home runs over 1,704 career Triple-A PA), but Kennedy’s calling card is his defensive versatility. Kennedy has plenty of experience at first, second and third base, plus some work as a shortstop and left fielder.
Playing time is scarce in the Giants’ infield, which has a regular starter at every position except second base, and even the cornerstone could be filled with a prominent name given the rumors linking San Francisco. Kettle Marte And Brendan Donovan. Casey Schmitt would fill a backup role in the field in that scenario, and Christian Kos, Tyler FitzgeraldAnd Osleivis Basabe are all ahead of Kennedy on the depth chart. Kennedy’s out-of-option status won’t improve his chances of breaking camp, but he could remain as a depth option with the Giants’ Triple-A affiliate.
Kilian began his pro career as an eighth-round pick for the Giants in the 2019 draft, and the righty was one of two prospects San Francisco dealt the Cubs for. Chris Bryant at the 2021 trade deadline. Kilian started five of eight games for Chicago spanning the 2022-2024 seasons, and he has a 9.22 ERA and nearly as many walks (six) as strikeouts (seven) over his 27 1/3 career Major League innings.
A major strain also kept Kilian on the injured list for more than half of the 2024 season, and an undisclosed injury while in Triple-A limited the righty to 15 2/3 minor league innings in 2025 and no time on Chicago’s active roster. Pitching largely out of the bullpen for the first time in his career, Kilian struggled to a 7.47 ERA in 2025, though his health issues likely influenced that shaky performance.
While there has been a lot of turnover within San Francisco’s organization since Kilian was last there, the 28-year-old could benefit from familiar surroundings and some fresh voices to help him get his career on track. Staying on the field after two injury-marred seasons is the first priority, and the Giants’ pitching development team can then determine whether Kilian still has a future as a starter or if a relief role is a better fit for him.
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