WATCH: Royals top prospect Jac Caglianone hits 464-foot homer in minor-league game
When Kansas City Royals prospect Jac Caglianone hits a baseball, it’s sure to make a loud sound.
And the baseball sure to travel a long distance.
Caglianone hit his first Double-A homer against the Tulsa Drillers at ONEOK Field in Tulsa, Oklahoma, on Saturday. The ball took a grand tour of the historic Greenwood District and landed on Elgin Avenue behind the stadium.
The official distance was staggering. Caglianone hit the baseball 464 feet and registered a 116 mph exit velocity.
“I didn’t see it, but I heard about it,” Royals manager Matt Quatraro said. “I mean, we follow what every minor-league team does every day.”
Caglianone continues to make a strong first impression. His elite power captivated Royals fans throughout the spring. Many showed up early to the backfields in Surprise, Arizona, to watch him take batting practice and just get a glimpse of the future.
KC selected Caglianone sixth overall in the 2024 MLB Draft. He was a two-way player at the University of Florida, but the Royals have him focusing primarily on his hitting.
This spring, Caglianone batted .500 (9-for-18) with three home runs and seven RBIs in 14 games. He also produced a 1.775 OPS (on-base plus slugging) against veteran MLB pitchers in big-league camp.
The Royals were impressed but collectively decided to not rush Caglianone to the majors. He still needs more refinement defensively and he hasn’t seen a ton of quality pitching.
Caglianone will during his time with Double-A Northwest Arkansas. This season, Caglianone is joined by several other top Royals prospects on the Naturals’ roster, including Gavin Cross, Carter Jensen and Ben Kudrna.
For now, Caglianone’s biggest strength is his power to all fields. It’s a real threat in the Royals’ system and a reminder of why he is the No. 1 prospect on the horizon for Kansas City.
