Latest news with #Caglianone
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Why the buzz over Jac Caglianone? He once hit a ball 120.9 mph, showing the type of power the Royals desperately need
First things first: it's pronounced cag-lee-OHN. Not cag-lee-ah-NOHN. That's important to know because there's a strong chance Jac Caglianone is about to become a pretty big deal. The Royals' top prospect is set to make his Major League debut on Tuesday, just 324 days after Kansas City selected the University of Florida product with the sixth overall pick in the 2024 MLB Draft. Raised in Tampa, Caglianone attended H.B. Plant High School, the same program that produced Kyle Tucker and Pete Alonso. An elbow injury steered Caglianone to Florida, where he blossomed into one of the most dynamic college players of the century. During his draft year in Gainesville, 'Cags' slashed a ridiculous .419/.544/.875 with 35 long balls. Advertisement In the time since, Caglianone has rocketed up the minor league ladder while rocketing baseballs with elite exit velocities. After impressing in big league spring training, the 6-foot-5 left-hander posted a .322/.389/.593 line with 15 homers across 50 games split between Double-A and Triple-A. That all came as Caglianone, who played first and pitched in college, was learning the outfield for the first time. Here's everything you need to know about the young slugger. Jac Caglianone isn't shy about going after pitches out of the zone but he has shown much improvement in the minor leagues. (Photo by Chris Bernacchi/Diamond Images via Getty Images) (Diamond Images via Getty Images) Why is he a big deal? Put simply: he hits the baseball really, really, really hard. Earlier this minor league season, Caglianone laced an opposite field single at 120.9 miles per hour. That top-of-the-scales juice puts him in rarified air. Only six players in the Statcast Era (since 2017) have hit a ball that firmly: Giancarlo Stanton, Oneil Cruz, Gary Sánchez, Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Ronald Acuña Jr. and Aaron Judge. Advertisement That's the offensive ceiling we're talking about here, which is remarkable considering that Caglianone was a full-time two-way player in college. So why isn't he the top prospect in baseball? Heading into spring training, public prospect lists, on average, had Caglianone slotted around No. 40. Granted, that was before Cags impressed in spring training and before he obliterated minor league pitching for the better part of two months. But still, this is a player with multiple warts. Coming out of college, Caglianone was considered to be a high-risk prospect, in large part because he chased so much. His out-of-zone swing rates at Florida were just below the 40 percent mark, a red-flag figure that had many teams concerned about how Caglianone would adjust to better pitching in pro ball. Advertisement But pro reps and a slight mechanical adjustment have allowed Cags to push that chase rate down to a still-high, but not panic-inducing mark of 34 percent. That would be around the 87th percentile of qualified MLB hitters this season, near some superstars (Bryce Harper, Corbin Carroll) and some chase-happy scufflers (Keibert Ruiz, Trevor Story). Another name in that range, young Rays starlet Junior Caminero, feels like an interesting comp for what Caglianone's offensive profile could look like this season Defense is the other major reason that Caglianone has not been considered a top-shelf prospect. When he wasn't pitching at Florida, Cags was DHing or playing first base. Because the Royals have something of a DH/1B log jam (Vinnie Pasquantino/Salvador Perez), Caglianone saw the majority of his time in the outfield this season and should be out in the grass a lot in the bigs. He's still a work in progress in both spots, but the bat has such potential and the Royals' offense has been so dreary that the club had no choice but to promote Cags right now. He's fast and athletic enough that Caglianone shouldn't be a total butcher in an outfield corner, but don't expect any Gold Gloves from him either. Hey, wait. Wasn't this guy a two-way player? He was! But not anymore, sadly. Advertisement Caglianone's two-way exploits at Florida helped him cross over into the larger baseball consciousness in a way that few college players do. For instance: In 2023, during his sophomore season, people started calling him 'Jac-tani' in a not-so-subtle reference to the Japanese superstar. Not many living beings can throw a baseball 99 miles per hour with their left hand; only 24 big leaguers have done that since the start of 2024. Even fewer can hit a baseball 119 miles per hour; only four souls — Cruz, Stanton, Guerrero Jr and Shohei Ohtani — have done so over that same span. Caglianone was, preposterously, doing both. As a college student. And yet, as the Gator superstar continued to drop jaws on both sides of the ball during his junior year, talent evaluators were beginning to realize that Caglianone's pro future was almost certainly going to be in the batter's box. The eye-popping velocity led to an impressive dossier of pitching highlights, yes, but the rest of his on-mound profile — secondary stuff, repeatability, command, control, fastball shape — left much to be desired. Advertisement So even though the Royals announced Caglianone as a two-way player when they selected him last July, it was an open secret in the industry that Kansas City would develop him exclusively as a hitter. So far, that's paid off big time. Jac Caglianone brought the heat on the mound at Florida but his arsenal wasn't diverse enough to seriously consider him a two-way player in MLB. (AP Photo/Gary McCullough) (ASSOCIATED PRESS) Why'd the Royals promote him now? Because they can't hit. Coming off an invigorating postseason campaign in 2024, this year's Royals have stagnated somewhat. It's been more treading water than massive cannonballs off the high dive as Kansas City's offense ranks near the bottom in most offensive categories. The Royals are last in home runs, last in walk rate, third to last in runs scored and fifth to last in OPS. Advertisement Only two hitters — reigning MVP runner-up Bobby Witt Jr. and third baseman Maikel Garcia — have an OPS+ above league average. Pasquantino has been much better recently after a rough start, but all the secondary pieces like Michael Massey, Jonathan India and Drew Waters have underwhelmed. Most concerning has been the steep fall-off from franchise icon Salvador Perez, who has gone from an All-Star a year ago to a bottom-20 qualified hitter in baseball. The Royals' stellar pitching and defense has kept this team in the mix. Heading into play on June 3, they are 31-29, one game out of a wild-card spot. But this lineup needs a jolt. Caglianone should help.
Yahoo
4 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Jac Caglianone Given Huge Comparison to Ohtani, Judge
Jac Caglianone Given Huge Comparison to Ohtani, Judge originally appeared on Athlon Sports. Jac Caglianone, former Florida Gators first baseman and the No. 6 pick in the 2024 MLB Draft to the Kansas City Royals has been called up to play in the big leagues after dominating AA and AAA ball. Advertisement In his 50 games in AA and AAA, Caglianone was hitting .322/.389/.593 with 15 home runs as well as 56 RBIs, and is now ready to make his long awaited jump to the MLB. ESPN MLB insider Jeff Passan spoke on the Pat McAfee Show about Caglianone, and gave him high praise as he enters the biggest part of his professional career, as well as a comparison to some of the biggest stars in baseball. Florida Gators first baseman Jac Caglianone (14) singles against the Texas A&M Aggies during the eighth inning at Charles Schwab Field Omaha during the College World Branscombe-Imagn Images "He is a guy who has the kind of power that Aaron Judge and Shohei Ohtani have, and there are very few guys in baseball who can say that," said Passan. It seems outlandish to compare a 22-year-old prospect to the likes of Ohtani and Judge, but the stats have spoken for themselves as of now. His power is undeniable and he can make contact with the ball regardless of where the pitch gets thrown. Advertisement After switching from first base to an outfield role (left and right field) in the minor leagues, that is a significant adjustment that is probably delaying his call up to the majors until now. Where they will be playing Caglianone has yet to be determined, but outfield, first base, and even designated hitter are all possibilities for him, and his added height at 6-foot-5 should help him adjust to any of them. Royals fans finally get a glimpse of their bright future with another incredible prospect. Adding him to a lineup with Bobby Witt Jr. certainly creates a lot of excitement for a team looking to push past their 31-29 record. On an off day on June 2, the Royals and Caglianone have the time to get acclimated more before they travel to St. Louis to face the Cardinals. Should he get in the lineup immediately, his first home game will be June 10 where they will be playing the New York Yankees. Advertisement Related: Former Florida Commit Riley Greene Makes MLB History on Friday Related: DJ Lagway Expected to be Throwing to Elite WR in 2025 This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 2, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
4 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Kansas City Royals call up top prospect Jac Caglianone, set to make MLB debut on Thursday
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (KCAU) – A rollercoaster year for Kansas City Royals' top prospect Jac Caglianone continues. Less than one year after being selected with the sixth overall pick in the 2024 MLB Draft, Kansas City has called up its rising star to the big leagues, making the move official on Sunday night. The 22-year-old has hit 15 home runs and 56 RBI in 50 games during his minor league stint, boasting a .322 batting average, a line that he hopes transfer to the MLB and the Kansas City lineup. The Royals are last in the majors in home runs (34) and 28th in the league in runs scored (194). Caglianone appeared in 12 games for the Omaha Storm Chasers in AAA, hitting six home runs with a .319 batting average. The Florida alum played in the outfield in Omaha, where he is expected to contribute when he joins the Royans for its series in St. Louis on Thursday. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Time of India
7 hours ago
- Sport
- Time of India
"I gotta call my dad" – Jac Caglianone's emotional reaction to MLB call-up melts hearts
Image Source: Getty In a scene reminiscent of dreams becoming reality in the hearts of baseball fans across the U.S., Kansas City Royals top prospect Jac Caglianone learned that his life was about to change with a callup to the majors. The 22-year-old slugger's initial reaction—"I gotta call my dad"—is a reflection of the deep family roots that have driven his rise to the majors. A meteoric rise of Jac Caglianone through the minors It has been nothing short of impressive that Caglianone has already made his way up to the majors. Selected by the Royals with the sixth overall pick in the 2024 MLB Draft, he immediately dazzled in the minors with his immense skill set. He had a combined .285 between Double-A and Triple-A. On pace for a .322 batting average with 15 home runs and 56 RBIs over the season's regular 49 games. One of those stop-offs was at Triple-A Omaha, where he seemed to find his stride, slashing an impressive. 319 and leads the team with six home runs and 13 RBIs in just 12 games. Caglianone holds the career home run record at Florida with 75, and he previously received the John Olerud Award and was a first-team consensus All-American as a two-way player. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like サントリーロコモアが５,９４０→１,０８０円で試せる ロコモア こちらをクリック Undo Now, professionally, he has made the transition to hitting and has continued to hit. Jac Caglianone's dream was fulfilled, and his family honored To this day, his call-up moment was not only of a different nature than an ordinary professional milestone. Looking back on his journey, Caglianone thanked his family for their constant support. Jac's mother, Johanne, remembered finding a school art project where a young Jac drew a picture of what he wanted to be when he grew up — a dream he's now living out. The Royals, who are among the struggling offensive teams in the bigs and have scored the second-fewest runs, are counting on Caglianone's bat to boost their lineup. His first big-league start is scheduled for Tuesday against the St. Louis Cardinals, beginning what many expect will be a long and successful major league career. Also Read: Jac Caglianone's Triple-A promotion confirms Royals' confidence in their top slugger's big-league potential When Caglianone takes the field, he will carry not only the hopes of a franchise but the hopes of a family whose support provided his true backbone. That moment reminds us all that behind every professional sports accomplishment, there are personal stories.
USA Today
9 hours ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Royals shared top prospect Jac Caglianone's priceless reaction to MLB call-up
Royals shared top prospect Jac Caglianone's priceless reaction to MLB call-up If there's one team that has desperately needed a power boost to the lineup, it's the Kansas City Royals. They rank at the bottom of the league in home runs, but they're about to add one of baseball's best power-hitting prospects in Jac Caglianone. Yet, the Royals still managed to surprise the 22-year-old with the big news. Coming off a 1-for-4 game where Caglianone slammed his bat at one point out of frustration, the Royals prospect expected the call into Storm Chasers manager Mike Jirschele's office to be about the outburst. Instead, he found out that he had to catch a charter flight to join the Royals in St. Louis. His reaction was too good. Caglianone, who was hitting .322 with nine home runs and 43 RBI in just 38 Triple-A games, was surprised to say the least. His immediate reaction was, "I need to call my dad." Those videos never get old.
