Former UF Baseball Player Caglianone’s Impressive First Impression

Former University of Florida star first baseman/pitcher Jac Caglianone is attracting some attention with his outstanding start in the Kansas City Royals 2025 Spring Training. After being selected sixth overall in the 2024 Major League Baseball draft, Caglianone is quickly proving himself as a top talent.

Caglianone’s professional journey began with the Quad City River Bandits. Throughout 29 games, he managed a .241 batting average, including nine doubles and two home runs.

Then, he goes on to develop his skills in the Arizona Fall League, playing for the Surprise Saguaros. In his 21 games with the Saguaros, Caglianone hit five home runs and drove 21 runs.

Spring Training Domination

After being invited as a non-roster player to the Royals’ Spring Training, Caglianone sees an opportunity and takes advantage. In only 12 at-bats he has a .500 batting average, including three home runs and five runs batted in completing an impressive 1.933 OPS.

He showcased his talent on March 9 in a spring matchup against the Milwaukee Brewers. Caglianone launched a 444-foot home run, with the ball having an exit velocity of 114.6 mph.

To boost Caglianone’s advancements toward the Majors, the Royals have decided to focus on his hitting and first base skills.

Vinnie Pasquantino and Salvador Perez are two key players who are coaching Caglianone on his journey to these key improvements.

This approach aims to prepare him for a new role within his career.

Considering Prospect Promotion Incentives

Caglianone’s performance is also linked to the Royals taking the Prospect Promotion Incentive (PPI) rules into consideration. The PPI rewards teams for promoting top prospects who have reached significant achievements early in their careers.

To maximize potential benefits, the Royals are balancing Caglianone’s development with precision, especially when dealing with his MLB roster timing.

A Promising Future Ahead

As spring training progresses, Caglianone’s performance continues to captivate both fans and Royals management.

His ideal transition from college to professional baseball brought by his adaptability positions him as a key player to watch in this upcoming season.

Weather he starts the year in the minors or makes an early MLB debut, the excitement his talent brings to the league suggests a bright future with the Kansas City Royals.

The Royals play their next game today at 4:10 p.m. EST against the Arizona Diamondbacks.