Jac Caglianone’s MLB Debut Shines Despite No Hits and Major Setbacks

Jac Caglianone, the Kansas City Royals’ top prospect, made his major league debut against the St. Louis Cardinals on Tuesday night. Despite finishing the game 0-for-5, Caglianone’s performance impressed both his teammates and coaches, leaving a lasting impression on everyone watching.

The 22-year-old left-handed slugger, who was the sixth overall pick in the 2024 MLB Draft out of the University of Florida, showcased his impressive power at the plate despite the lack of a hit. His hardest-hit ball came during his final at-bat, with a scorching 113.9 mph groundout to second baseman Brendan Donovan. Royals shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. noted the force behind Caglianone’s hits, pointing out that his batting practice had already shown that kind of power.

“He’s been getting the barrel on the ball, and when he does, it’s coming off hard,” said Witt. “You could hear it.”

Even though Caglianone didn’t get the hit he was hoping for, he’s still showing promise. The young slugger faced elite defenders like Nolan Arenado in his first two at-bats, and both times Arenado managed to make remarkable plays, leading to two outs. The first of these involved Caglianone’s 95+ mph grounder, which Arenado fielded cleanly and made a perfect throw to first. The second play came when Victor Scott II, the Cardinals’ center fielder, tracked down a well-hit ball and made an impressive catch in the right-center field gap.

In the midst of Caglianone’s personal struggles, the Royals rallied for a 10-7 victory, marking an important win for the team. The excitement from his teammates was palpable, especially as Royals manager Matt Quatraro praised Caglianone for his effort. “He was great in the dugout, attacking, looking poised,” Quatraro said. “There will be plenty of hits for him.”

It’s been a remarkable rise for Caglianone, who was still playing in the NCAA baseball tournament with the Florida Gators just a year ago. But after a standout performance with the Royals’ minor league affiliate, Triple-A Omaha, where he slashed .322/.389/.593 with 15 home runs and 56 RBIs in just 50 games, he earned the call-up to the majors.

Still, even after his MLB debut, Caglianone’s teammates want him to stay grounded. Vinnie Pasquantino, the Royals’ first baseman, offered some sage advice: “He’s not a savior to this offense, and nobody should expect him to be. He just needs to be his best self and let that help the team.”

As Caglianone continues to adjust to the big league level, the hits will certainly come. But for now, he can take solace in the fact that his power and potential are already impressing those around him, and the future looks bright for this promising young player.