Jac Caglianone Goes Hitless in Debut but Sparks Royals Comeback in Unforgettable MLB Opener

ST. LOUIS — In baseball, moments matter just as much as stats. And on Tuesday night, Jac Caglianone delivered one of the most electric hitless debuts in recent MLB memory. Though the 22-year-old slugger finished 0-for-5, his presence fueled a stunning 10-7 Royals comeback over the St. Louis Cardinals at Busch Stadium — reminding fans that sometimes, it’s not the numbers but the energy that counts.

Selected sixth overall in the 2024 MLB Draft, Caglianone’s debut came just 324 days after being picked out of the University of Florida. He stepped into the batter’s box for the first time to roaring cheers, many from Royals fans who traveled across the state to witness what could be the beginning of a new era. As he strode to the plate, nerves didn’t seem to show — only determination.

He nearly had his storybook hit in his first at-bat, sending a 98.4 mph line drive to deep right-center, only to be robbed by a brilliant sprinting catch from Victor Scott II. Later, two more potential hits were erased by third base maestro Nolan Arenado, who made vintage Gold Glove-worthy plays to deny Caglianone twice. His final out? A 113.9 mph grounder — hard contact that told a story far richer than the box score.

Royals manager Matt Quatraro wasn’t concerned. “He was great in the dugout. He looked poised. There will be plenty of hits for him,” Quatraro said postgame, praising Caglianone’s mental presence and confidence.

Even teammates like Bobby Witt Jr. and Vinnie Pasquantino quickly saw the value beyond the stat line. “He treats pressure like a privilege,” Witt said. “It’s one of those things: This is where he’s supposed to be.” Pasquantino echoed that sentiment, cautioning against placing the burden of offensive salvation on the rookie’s shoulders. “He just needs to be his best self — not a savior,” he said.

So why bring him up now? Royals GM J.J. Picollo explained that Caglianone’s .319 batting average, 9 homers, and 43 RBIs in Triple-A Omaha made the decision unavoidable. Scouts had seen enough — and they liked what they saw. “Sometimes you just have to roll with it,” Picollo said. “And we felt like he’s prepared for the moment.”

While the headlines will note the absence of a hit, the reality is clear: Jac Caglianone is here, and he’s ready. His hard contact, clubhouse calm, and game-changing presence already have Royals fans and management dreaming about what’s next.

One game in, and he’s already made an impact — not with hits, but with hope.