From Swamp to Crown: Jac Caglianone’s Path to the Big Leagues
- Samantha Lewis
- Jul 1
- 2 min read
When Jac Caglianone stepped into Kauffman Stadium for his home debut, it wasn’t just another rookie call-up; it was the arrival of a new era. The former Florida Gators star finally made the move from college baseball royalty to Major League promise.
Caglianone’s journey started in Tampa, Florida, but he stepped into the spotlight in Gainesville. At the University of Florida, he became one of college baseball’s most exciting two-way players. Caglianone broke multiple school records, including having 35 home runs in his junior year, which set a new single season mark. During his college career, he had 75 home runs and posted a .355 average, and also struck out 170 batters as a pitcher.
In 2024, he earned the very prestigious John Olerud Award. This is an award that is given to the nation’s top two-way player in college baseball. Caglianone was important both on and off the field. He was the heart of the Gators’ lineup and the soul of the clubhouse. His presence helped Florida return to the national spotlight and caught MLB scouts' attention.
In the 2024 MLB Draft, the Kansas City Royals selected Caglianone at the sixth overall pick. A lot of teams would’ve seen a risk in a two-way player, but the Royals saw his potential and maybe even the face of their future.
After spending time in the minors, jumping from High-A to Triple-A in less than a year, Caglianone got called up. On June 4, 2025, he debuted against the Guardians. He went hitless in this game, but it didn’t take him long to find his groove. On June 5, he absolutely smashed an RBI for his first big-league hit. Days later, on June 8, he made history. Caglianone became the first Royals rookie since Bo Jackson to record a four-hit game within his first six MLB appearances.
Statcast numbers quickly backed up the hype around Caglianone. His exit velocities were topping out at 113.9 mph and a hard-hit rate around 50% places him in elite company.
Within the last few years, the Royals have struggled to generate and keep any sort of offensive consistency. Caglianone offers more than just short-term hope. As of right now, the Royals are planning on keeping him focused on hitting and monitoring his development as a two-way option down the road. Regardless of whether he returns to the mound, Jac Caglianone has already made an impact with the Royals.
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