Two-way Draft prospect Caglianone makes history never achieved in The Show
Kenny Van Doren
@thevandalorianAs the days tick down nearing the MLB Draft, Jac Caglianone¡¯s home run total continues to move in the opposite direction. The two-way Florida standout hasn¡¯t missed a beat at the plate, and on Friday against Vanderbilt, the No. 13-ranked program in the country, Caglianone tied an NCAA record.
In the top of the sixth inning, the No. 5 MLB Draft prospect pulled an outside pitch to right-center field for his 23rd homer of the year, marking a ninth consecutive game with a roundtripper. The 6-foot-5 left-handed hitter matched a record set by Nevada¡¯s Tyler Bosetti from 2021.
The all-time mark for home runs in consecutive contests at the Major League level is eight, and it¡¯s been pulled off three times: Ken Griffey, Jr. (1993), Don Mattingly (1987), and Dale Long (1956). And it's now a number that the "collegiate Ohtani" has eclipsed with a two-week run for the record books.
With one swing, Caglianone moved back into sole possession of second place on the Division I home run leaderboard. Texas A&M¡¯s Braden Montgomery tied Caglianone for 22 on the year for a short period Friday before Caglianone found the outfield seating at Hawkins Field in Nashville, Tenn.
Caglianone -- who boasts a 65-grade power tool, which grades as higher than above-average -- currently trails fellow Draft prospect and Georgia slugger Charlie Condon for the homer lead (24) in Division I. Even as he hits homers at an unforeseen rate in 2024, Caglianone's output thus far is 10 less than his historic sophomore campaign in '23 when he led the nation in roundtrippers.
Entering Friday, Caglianone was slashing .407/.497/.860 with 24 extra-base hits -- 22 of which had gone over the fence. The lefty's keen eye at the plate has seen him draw 21 walks to just 14 strikeouts.
If that weren't enough reason for him to be in consideration near the top of Draft boards this July, he has also made eight starts on the hill and gone 4-0 with a 3.89 ERA while compiling 49 strikeouts in 39 1/3 innings.