Caleb Thielbar

Caleb Thielbar Bio

Caleb John Thielbar is an American professional baseball pitcher who currently plays for the Chicago Cubs of Major League Baseball. Born in Randolph, Minnesota, Thielbar has built a reputation as a durable and reliable left-handed reliever during his MLB career spanning from 2013 to the present. He made history in 2013 when he became the first South Dakota State University baseball player to reach the major leagues. Thielbar has spent the majority of his career with the Minnesota Twins organization, where he developed into a dependable bullpen piece before joining the Chicago Cubs in December 2024.

Early Life and Background

Caleb John Thielbar was born on January 31, 1987, in Randolph, Minnesota. He grew up in the small town of Randolph, where he developed his passion for baseball during his formative years. Thielbar attended Randolph High School in Randolph, Minnesota, laying the foundation for his future baseball career.

After graduating from high school, Thielbar continued his athletic and academic pursuits at South Dakota State University. At SDSU, he played college baseball for the South Dakota State Jackrabbits baseball team. His strong performance with the Jackrabbits caught the attention of professional scouts, ultimately leading to his selection in the 2009 Major League Baseball Draft.

Path to Professional Baseball

The Milwaukee Brewers selected Thielbar in the 18th round of the 2009 MLB Draft, using the 556th overall selection. He began his professional career in rookie-level leagues, making 16 combined appearances between the Arizona League Brewers and Helena Brewers. In his debut professional season, Thielbar impressed with a combined 6-1 record and a 1.53 earned run average, recording 48 strikeouts across 47 innings pitched.

Thielbar continued to develop within the Brewers organization during the 2010 season, splitting time between Helena and the Single-A Wisconsin Timber Rattlers. He appeared in 39 games out of the bullpen, compiling a 5.19 ERA with 52 strikeouts and three saves across 67 2/3 innings. However, the Brewers released him on December 13, 2010, forcing him to explore other opportunities to continue his professional career.

Caleb Thielbar Career

Independent Baseball and Minor League Journey

Following his release from the Brewers organization, Thielbar signed with the St. Paul Saints of the American Association of Professional Baseball, an independent baseball league, prior to the 2011 season. In 43 relief appearances for the Saints, he logged a 3-3 record and 2.54 ERA with 62 strikeouts across 49 2/3 innings pitched. His performance with the Saints demonstrated his ability to remain competitive despite not being affiliated with a Major League organization.

On August 19, 2011, Thielbar signed a minor league contract with the Minnesota Twins organization, joining their farm system. He made three scoreless appearances for the High-A Fort Myers Miracle to conclude the 2011 season. Thielbar split the 2012 campaign between Fort Myers, the Double-A New Britain Rock Cats, and Triple-A Rochester Red Wings, accumulating a 6-2 record and 2.43 ERA with 74 strikeouts and six saves across 48 appearances. His strong season led the Twins to add Thielbar to their 40-man roster on November 20, 2012, protecting him from the Rule 5 Draft.

Minnesota Twins Breakthrough (2013–2015)

On May 20, 2013, the Twins promoted Thielbar to the major leagues for the first time in his career. He made his MLB debut that same day, pitching two innings against the Kansas City Royals. With this debut, Thielbar became the first South Dakota State University baseball player to reach MLB. He remained in the Twins bullpen for the remainder of the 2013 season, appearing in 49 games and pitching 46 innings with a remarkable 1.76 ERA and 0.826 WHIP.

Thielbar began the 2014 season in the Twins bullpen, making 54 appearances in which he pitched 47 2/3 innings with a 3.40 ERA. His consistency continued to establish him as a valuable member of the Twins relief corps. In 2015, however, his opportunities became limited as he appeared in just five innings for the team before the Twins designated him for assignment on July 31, 2015.

Stints with San Diego Padres and Independent Baseball

On August 8, 2015, the San Diego Padres claimed Thielbar off waivers from the Twins. The Padres assigned him to their Triple-A affiliate, the El Paso Chihuahuas, where he pitched 12 1/3 innings while allowing only one earned run. He was designated for assignment on August 30, cleared waivers, and was sent outright to Triple-A El Paso on September 3, concluding his time with the Padres organization.

On March 29, 2016, Thielbar returned to the St. Paul Saints for a second stint in the American Association. He posted a 5-2 record with four saves, 56 strikeouts, and a 2.39 ERA in 64 innings pitched during the 2016 season. Following the season, on November 17, 2016, he signed a minor league contract with the Miami Marlins, though he was released before the 2017 season began. He rejoined St. Paul midway through the 2017 season and went 2-1 with one save and a 2.01 ERA in 22 1/3 innings.

Detroit Tigers and Atlanta Braves Organizations

On January 23, 2018, Thielbar signed a minor league deal with the Detroit Tigers organization. He split the 2018 season between the Double-A Erie SeaWolves and the Triple-A Toledo Mud Hens, compiling a combined 7-1 record with a 2.05 ERA in 57 innings pitched. He re-signed with Detroit on a minor league contract following the season and was assigned to Triple-A Toledo for 2019, where he went 2-1 with four saves and a 3.30 ERA, striking out 92 batters across 76 1/3 innings.

On August 30, 2019, Thielbar was traded to the Atlanta Braves in exchange for cash considerations. He appeared in two games for the Triple-A Gwinnett Stripers, pitching two scoreless innings and recording one save. After the 2019 season, he was selected to play for the United States national baseball team in the 2019 WBSC Premier 12 tournament. Believing his playing career might be over, Thielbar accepted a coaching position at Augustana University.

Minnesota Twins Second Stint (2020–2024)

On December 13, 2019, Thielbar signed a minor league contract with the Minnesota Twins, returning to the organization where he first reached the majors. On August 3, 2020, the Twins selected Thielbar to the active roster. The next day, he made his first major league appearance in over five years. He finished the 2020 season with a 2.25 ERA and 22 strikeouts in 17 games, proving he could still compete at the highest level.

Thielbar signed a one-year, $650,000 contract with Minnesota for the 2021 season. He emerged as one of the Twins’ most reliable relievers, pitching in 59 games and registering a perfect 7-0 record with a 3.23 ERA and 77 strikeouts over 64 innings of work. His 2022 season saw him make 67 relief appearances, accumulating a 4-3 record and 3.49 ERA with 80 strikeouts across 59 1/3 innings pitched.

On January 13, 2023, Thielbar agreed to a one-year, $2.4 million contract with the Twins, avoiding salary arbitration. He made 36 appearances for Minnesota, compiling a 3-1 record and 3.23 ERA with 36 strikeouts across 30 2/3 innings of work. In the 2024 season, Thielbar appeared in 59 relief games for the Twins, logging a 5.32 ERA with 53 strikeouts and three saves across 47 1/3 innings pitched.

Chicago Cubs Era (2025–Present)

On December 31, 2024, Thielbar signed a one-year, $2.75 million contract with the Chicago Cubs, joining his current team. He became a reliable option out of the Cubs bullpen during the 2025 season, making 67 appearances and registering a 3-4 record with a 2.64 ERA, 56 strikeouts, and one save over 58 innings pitched.

On December 17, 2025, Thielbar re-signed with the Cubs on a one-year, $4.5 million contract, demonstrating the team’s continued confidence in his abilities as a veteran left-handed reliever. At 38 years old entering 2026, Thielbar continues to serve as a valuable and experienced presence in the Chicago Cubs bullpen.

Driving Style and Strengths

Throughout his career, Thielbar has established himself as a durable and consistent left-handed reliever capable of handling high-leverage situations. His ability to pitch multiple innings and get key outs has made him a valuable asset for every organization he has joined. His experience spanning over a decade in professional baseball, including time in independent leagues, minor leagues, and multiple major league organizations, has shaped him into a resilient competitor who can perform under pressure.

Notable Events and Milestones

Thielbar’s most significant career milestone remains his MLB debut on May 20, 2013, with the Minnesota Twins, which made him the first South Dakota State University baseball player to reach the major leagues. He earned his first career major league win during the 2013 season. His perfect 7-0 record during the 2021 season with the Twins represented the most wins he has recorded in a single major league campaign.

Caleb Thielbar Career Wins

Thielbar has accumulated 28 major league wins throughout his MLB career spanning from 2013 through June 29, 2026. His career win-loss record stands at 28-18 with a 3.32 ERA and 432 strikeouts across his major league appearances.

Major League Baseball Highlights

Thielbar made his MLB debut on May 20, 2013, with the Minnesota Twins and earned his first career win during that inaugural major league season. His best major league season came in 2021 with the Twins, when he went 7-0 in 59 relief appearances. His most recent strong performance came with the Chicago Cubs in 2025, where he went 3-4 with a 2.64 ERA and one save in 67 relief appearances.

Minor League and Independent League Highlights

Prior to and between his MLB stints, Thielbar accumulated significant statistics in minor league and independent baseball. He went 6-1 with a 1.53 ERA in his debut professional season with the Brewers organization in 2009. His standout minor league seasons include a 6-2 record with a 2.43 ERA in the Twins system in 2012, and a 7-1 record with a 2.05 ERA between Double-A and Triple-A with the Tigers organization in 2018.

Caleb Thielbar Family

Family Background and Baseball Roots

Thielbar was born and raised in Randolph, Minnesota, a small town that has produced at least one major league baseball player in his case. His path through college baseball at South Dakota State University and his eventual rise to the majors established him as a notable figure in Minnesota baseball history.

Personal Life

Thielbar is married to his wife Carissa. Together, they have one son. The family has maintained connections to Minnesota throughout Thielbar’s career, even during his time with other organizations. His return to Minnesota with the Twins in 2020 and subsequent return to the Chicago Cubs in 2025 kept him in the broader baseball community. As of 2025, Thielbar continues his professional baseball career at age 38, balancing his athletic pursuits with his family life.

2025 Season Performance

The 2025 season marked Thielbar’s first full season with the Chicago Cubs after signing with the team in late December 2024. He appeared in 67 games out of the bullpen for Chicago, demonstrating the durability and reliability that has characterized his career. Thielbar finished the 2025 season with a 3-4 record, a 2.64 earned run average, 56 strikeouts, and one save across 58 innings pitched.

His performance with the Cubs solidified his role as a dependable left-handed option in the team’s bullpen. The Cubs clearly valued his veteran presence and track record, as evidenced by their decision to re-sign him to a one-year, $4.5 million contract on December 17, 2025. The 2026 season will see Thielbar continue as part of the Cubs’ bullpen plans as he works toward his 40th birthday while maintaining his status as an active MLB pitcher.