Caglianone listening, learning -- and mashing 444-foot HRs -- at Royals camp

SURPRISE, Ariz. -- Jac Caglianone is trying to be a sponge this spring, soaking up every bit of information he can in his first big league camp and learning from his coaches and future teammates in Bobby Witt Jr., Vinnie Pasquantino and Salvador Perez. But perhaps the biggest takeaway is how much he has enjoyed being on the field with those guys, the work that goes into getting ready for the season -- and the feeling that comes with it.

"It just feels right,” Caglianone said.

And he just fits right in.

The Royals’ top prospect and No. 22 prospect on MLB Pipeline’s Top 100 list has made quite the impression over the first few weeks of Spring Training, including a monster of a home run at Surprise Stadium in Sunday's win over Milwaukee -- Caglianone’s third of the spring.

He capped an eight-pitch at-bat against Brewers righty Aaron Civale with a jaw-dropping 444-foot home run into the right-field concourse.

This is what 114.6 mph off the bat sounds like:

The homer gave Caglianone three jacks this spring and a 2.098 OPS through nine games. He’s walked three times and only struck out once. There was a lot of talk about Caglianone’s possible swing-and-miss problems in pro ball, but this spring he hasn’t “seemed off-balance very often, and he puts good swings on it once it’s in the zone,” manager Matt Quatraro said.

Caglianone added a double to his Sunday performance, too, ambushing a first-pitch elevated fastball from Nestor Cortes in the fifth inning.

"Honestly, the biggest thing that I’ve tried to work on this offseason was just shrinking the zone and staying with my approach, knowing what I can handle,” Caglianone said. “I feel like I’m seeing it really well. I feel like I’m on time for swings. Swing feels great. Hoping to carry it on.”

Caglianone is doing everything he can to give the Royals a good first look on the field. His demeanor off it is just as impressive.

“He’s everything I think you could want in a first-rounder,” Pasquantino said. “Works hard. Here early every day. He’s always involved with what’s going on. And you can tell he’s working. He’s not putting on a show. He’s here to get better, which I really appreciate, just as someone on the team. We want guys that can work to help us win."

Caglianone’s performance this spring has shown why the Royals took him No. 6 overall in the 2024 Draft out of Florida and have transitioned him from a two-way player to a first baseman who can mash his way to Kansas City -- probably sooner rather than later.

The 22-year-old will most likely not be breaking camp with the team, instead heading out to Double-A or Triple-A, but he could quickly make his case for the big leagues during the season. If he does hit the way evaluators think he will, Caglianone will likely get reps in the outfield to make room for him, Pasquantino and Perez all on the same roster.

For now, Caglianone is tasked with continuing what he’s doing in Arizona. While he continues to get Cactus League appearances, he headlines the Royals’ Spring Breakout roster and could be their starting first baseman on Thursday, when the Kansas City prospects take on the D-backs prospects at Salt River Fields. He’s hoping he sees his college roommate, Phillip Abner, a lefty the D-backs took in the sixth round of the 2023 Draft. Caglianone recorded a knock off of Abner in the Arizona Fall League last fall.

"He’ll probably come back for some revenge if he pitches,” Caglianone said. “But I’m excited for the game. It’s the future. It’s super exciting to see. To be out there with our guys like [Carter] Jensen and [Ben] Kudrna and [Drew] Beam, it’s going to be really cool to share the field with them.”

Caglianone will also get to show off the work he’s put in at first base this spring. His bat is why he got drafted, and we’ve seen the 70-grade power already, but the Royals wanted him to get settled at first base while occasionally shagging in the outfield during BP.

Almost every morning, Caglinaone is on a field at the Royals’ complex, getting in early work with infield coaches José Alguacil and Tony Pe?a Jr.

"They put me through some new drills just to help me prepare for being up with these guys one day,” Caglianone said. “They’ve been working me pretty good. I enjoy it. I always try to get out there as much time as I can before stretch."

Any time Caglianone is working alongside Pasquantino on the field, he’s listening to everything the Royals’ first baseman has to say. They’ve talked about arm slots when throwing to a pitcher covering first, footwork and the best positioning on the bag. After making an error on Sunday on a pickoff throw, Caglianone was already thinking ahead to the work he needs to do Monday.

Caglianone has been nothing but receptive to feedback. Paired with his talent, that could take him a long way.

“I’m really excited to just be part of a great franchise and organization,” Caglianone said. “Whenever that may be, I’ll be ready for it.”