Royals No.1 Prospect Jac Caglianone's Position Change Catches Attention
When the Double-A Northwest Arkansas Naturals lineup was announced Thursday evening, fans were surprised to see a new player starting in right field.
Kansas City Royals No. 1 prospect Jac Caglianone got the start in right field for the Naturals. It was his first time playing outfield at the professional or college level. The sixth overall pick in the 2024 MLB Draft played first base and pitcher with the Florida Gators.
With the big league club's outfield struggling at the plate this season, Caglianone's position change was a breath of relief for the Royals fan base.
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"Fast tracking him to the majors with him at RF," one user wrote.
"Way better than Renfroe already," another said. Hunter Renfroe is batting .164 with three RBI in 18 games this season.
"Left-handed Aaron Judge." Another user commented.
Known for his eye-popping exit velocity, Caglianone has been on a tear at the plate this season for Northwest Arkansas.
He's slashing .284/.356/.500 with a team-leading four home runs and 20 RBI in 18 games. Caglianone went 2-for-2 off future Hall-of-Famer Clayton Kershaw - who was making a rehab start for the Tulsa Drillers - on Tuesday.
Kansas City Royals first-round draft pick Jac Caglianone poses with his sister Samantha Caglianone.Denny Medley-Imagn Images
The 6-foot-5, 250-pound product has even swiped one bag for the Naturals.
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'If you go by 'MLB The Show,' I'm (a) 59,' he told the Kansas City Star regarding his speed. 'Not great, but not bad.'
Outfield isn't completely unfamiliar to Caglianone, who played the position at Henry B. Plant High School in Tampa, Florida. He's also been learning to play right field by working with Royals outfield and baserunning advisor Rusty Kuntz.
Despite his success, and the Royals outfield struggles, it'd be surprise to see the 22-year-old Caglianone called up anytime soon.
In 2021, Royals superstar Bobby Witt Jr. spent 61 games at Northwest Arkansas and another 63 at Triple-A Omaha before making his MLB debut on April 7, 2022.
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Related: Royals No. 1 Prospect Bests Future Hall of Famer Clayton Kershaw
Related: Fans in Disbelief Over Royals No. 1 Prospect's Latest Feat
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