ST. LOUIS — Royals fans gathered enthusiastically to witness a promising debut, as Kansas City’s top prospect Jac Caglianone took to the field for his first major league game on Tuesday night. Despite the excitement, the young player went 0 for 5, yet his sheer presence seemed to galvanize his team, who rallied to overcome a five-run deficit to secure a 10-7 victory over the St. Louis Cardinals.
Royals shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. spoke about the energy Caglianone brought to the team, stating, “You see him just come into the clubhouse today, and you see what we do out on the field… It’s just one of those things where everyone kind of gets excited, and then you go out there and want to do your part and go out there and put up 10 runs.” This enthusiasm was evident as the Royals’ offense came alive.
Caglianone was positioned as the designated hitter, batting sixth, and his debut was met with loud cheers from a fanbase that had traveled to see the highly anticipated sixth overall pick from the 2024 amateur draft. “That was awesome,” Caglianone expressed. “That’s something I’ll definitely remember forever.” The crowd’s support did not go unnoticed by the budding player, who expressed his gratitude for their turnout.
During his at-bats, Caglianone showcased his potential. In his first appearance, he sent a 1-2 pitch deep to right-center field, where Cardinals center fielder Victor Scott II made an impressive running catch, denying him his first hit. His attempts for a hit continued to be thwarted by the defensive prowess of Cardinals’ third baseman Nolan Arenado, who made remarkable throws to first base to secure outs in the fifth and seventh innings.
Despite the lack of hits, Caglianone’s manager, Matt Quatraro, praised him for his approach, saying, “He went up there, attacked… He squared it up. He was ready to go. He looked poised. There will be plenty of hits for him.” Quatraro noted that facing top-tier defenders like Arenado made a tough challenge for Caglianone’s initial at-bats.
A year prior, Caglianone was playing collegiate baseball with the Florida Gators, displaying remarkable talent that eventually led to his drafting by the Royals. Now, standing before a crowd of nearly 27,000 fans, he reflected on the grandeur of the major league stage, likening the stadium to a “fish bowl” for its towering stands.
At 22, Caglianone had already shown his potential by hitting .319 with nine home runs and 43 RBIs in 38 games with Triple-A Omaha, a clear indication of why the Royals were eager to bring him up. Royals General Manager J.J. Picollo spoke on the excitement and unknown expectations that come with drafting such a promising player, expressing patience for his development, stating that the timing of his debut was less important than his success in the majors.
Meanwhile, teammates have advised him to play his game without the burden of saving the team’s offense. Royals first baseman Vinnie Pasquantino emphasized the importance of Caglianone being himself, noting, “He needs to come into this lineup and be his best self because his best self is what helps us the most…” This perspective aims to manage expectations and ensure Caglianone’s successful integration into the team.