Royals rookie Jac Caglianone made his much-anticipated debut on Tuesday, going 0-for-5 but managing to hit the ball hard several times. Due to weather, Wednesday’s game in St. Louis was postponed and rescheduled for a doubleheader on Thursday. During the day game on Thursday, Caglianone recorded his first career hit, a double, which also brought in his first RBI off Cardinals starter Miles Mikolas with a 91.4 mph line drive down the first baseline.
So far, Caglianone has come to the plate seven times without drawing a walk or striking out. His swings showcase excellent bat speed and solid contact, and given his raw strength, he is expected to hit more home runs. RJ Anderson noted that last year in the Arizona Fall League, Caglianone hit a ball at 117 mph — a feat only surpassed by a handful of major leaguers like Elly De La Cruz, Aaron Judge, James Wood, and Shohei Ohtani. Earlier this year, he topped the 120 mph mark.
The 22-year-old was the sixth overall pick in the 2024 MLB Draft out of the University of Florida. Before his call-up to the majors, he played 50 games between Double-A and Triple-A, hitting .322/.389/.593 with nine doubles, 15 home runs, 56 RBIs, 41 runs, 24 walks, and 46 strikeouts.
As of Thursday, the Royals hold a 32-29 record this season, placing fourth in the eight-team AL Central behind the Tigers. The division remains highly competitive, with the Royals just half a game behind the wild card spots tied to the Rays and Blue Jays.
Fan Take: Caglianone’s powerful debut is a thrilling development for Royals fans and baseball enthusiasts alike, signaling the arrival of a promising young talent poised to make a big impact. His raw power and hitting ability could invigorate the Royals’ lineup and add excitement to an already competitive AL Central race, making him a player to watch closely this season.
