Former Florida Gators two-player and Kansas City Royals top prospect Jac Caglianone will join the big league camp during spring training, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.
Caglianone has 29 games of pro experience at High-A Quad Cities since being taken with the No. 6 overall pick of last year’s MLB Draft. When Caglianone does arrive to Surprise, Ariz., for spring training, it will be alongside his future teammates including Bobby Witt Jr., Vinnie Pasquantino and Salvador Perez.
“Being able to share a field with Bobby and Vinnie, being able to see how much influence Salvy has with being the captain and go-to-guy is really exciting, Caglianone said to Rogers.
Kansas City will release its spring training non-roster invite list on Friday. It will include Caglianone along with top prospects Blake Mitchell and Carter Jensen.
Top Prospect Jac Caglianone to Join Royals in Spring Training
The Royals are breaking recent precedent by inviting first-round pick Caglianone to his first spring training, a rare honor for a newly drafted player. Kansas City hasn’t extended a similar invitation since Alex Gordon in 2006, making this a notable milestone for the young prospect.
Despite being the best two-way player in college baseball, Caglianone has the tools to be successful. His impressive batting skills, which boast extraordinary raw power, were the primary factor in his high draft selection last year. Although the Royals envisioned him as a two-way player, given his pitching tools and personal interest in pursuing both roles, the plan has shifted for 2025.
Caglianone will solely focus on hitting. It’s deemed the fastest path to making an impact at the major league level. Rogers explained that Caglianone and the Royals agreed it was “best to focus on hitting and playing first base to get him started in his career.”
In 165 games, he batted .335/.447/.760 with 75 home runs, 189 RBI and 225 hits. He owns the Gators’ career home run record and the single-season record with 35. On the mound, he had a career 4.55 ERA, 1.47 WHIP and 170 strikeouts over 148 1/3 innings.
Jac Caglianone in Omaha:
5-8, 2 HR, 4 R, 4 RBI, 6 BB, 1 HBP, .800 OBP.
I’d compare that to the Golden Spikes finalists but none of them are still playing baseball. pic.twitter.com/8DBQpC6Mpk
— Neil W. Blackmon (@nwblackmon) June 19, 2024
Simplifying Caglianone’s Role
The Royals believe simplifying Caglianone’s plan as a position player will help his defense at first base, too. He will be guided by infield coach José Alguacil in spring training. Later in the season, the Royals might have Caglianone start working in the outfield, depending on his progress. If he develops quickly through the minors, the versatility will be key to his game.
“The more simple we can keep things, the more likely guys are to succeed,” general manager J.J. Picollo said. “By allowing him to focus on his offensive approach, seeing higher level and better pitching early in his career, will all help. Now he gets a chance to focus on first base, develop his skills defensively – and hit.”
Jac attack!@Royals No. 1 prospect Jac Caglianone shows out with three hits in the Fall League Championship Game. pic.twitter.com/HQGhIP3dX2
— MLB Pipeline (@MLBPipeline) November 17, 2024
Main Photo: © Steven Branscombe-Imagn Images
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