Jac Caglianone is tearing it up, and Kansas City Royals fans are starting to dream big. When the Royals nabbed the 22-year-old slugger with the sixth overall pick in the 2024 MLB Draft, they knew they were getting a bat that could change games. His college numbers at Florida were straight-up video game stuff: .355/.447/.760 with 75 homers in 165 games, setting the Gators’ all-time home run record. That’s the kind of pop that makes scouts drool, and Caglianone’s proving it was no fluke in his pro debut.
Starting the 2025 season with the Royals’ Double-A affiliate in Northwest Arkansas, Caglianone didn’t waste time showing off. In 175 plate appearances over 38 games, he hit .322/.394/.553, ripping eight doubles and nine homers. That’s not just good—it’s “get this kid to the next level” good. The Royals didn’t hesitate, promoting him to Triple-A Omaha, and Caglianone’s been even hotter since. In just six games with the Storm Chasers, he’s gone deep in each of the last four, including a two-homer, 10-RBI explosion on Sunday. Five homers in six games? That’s the kind of stretch that turns heads and gets phones buzzing in the front office.
The Royals made a smart call early on, shifting Caglianone from a two-way college star—where he pitched and hit—to a full-time position player. With Vinnie Pasquantino locked in at first base, Kansas City’s been getting creative to make room for both bats. Lately, they’ve been working Caglianone out in right field, and it’s looking like his ticket to the big leagues. Right field in KC has been a black hole this year—Hunter Renfroe hit a brutal .182/.241/.242 in 108 plate appearances before getting DFA’d, and Drew Waters, Mark Canha, and Dairon Blanco haven’t exactly set the world on fire either. If Caglianone keeps swinging like he’s allergic to outs, he’ll be patrolling right field at Kauffman Stadium sooner rather than later.
This kid’s bat is special. We’re talking about a guy who could be a middle-of-the-order force, spraying doubles and launching homers with that smooth left-handed swing. The Royals are desperate for offensive spark, and Caglianone’s .322 average and power surge in the minors scream “I’m ready.” Moving to the outfield is a gamble, but if he can handle right field even decently, he’s a game-changer for a lineup that needs one. Kansas City’s front office has to be salivating at the thought of pairing him with Pasquantino for years to come. Keep an eye on this guy—Jac Caglianone’s not just knocking on the door to the majors; he’s about to kick it down.
