There’s something special happening in Kansas City. Jac Caglianone, the Royals’ highly-touted prospect, is finally starting to look like the player everyone expected him to be.
Drafted with sky-high expectations, Caglianone tore through the minor leagues like a force of nature—just 29 games in A-ball, 38 in Double-A, and a quick 12-game stint in Triple-A before making his big league debut last June. But the majors, as they often do, hit him with a reality check. His first taste of MLB action was a struggle, and the hype train slowed to a crawl.
Fast forward to this season, and Caglianone is back with something to prove. So far, he’s making the most of his second chance.
His 2026 stat line—.263/.344/.425—won’t make anyone do a double-take. It’s solid, but not spectacular. However, when you compare it to last year’s .157/.237/.295, the improvement is undeniable. And it’s not just the raw numbers that have fans buzzing—it’s the way he’s getting there.
Dig into the underlying metrics, and the story gets even better. Caglianone’s Baseball Savant percentiles show a player who has leveled up across nearly every category. Yes, he still chases pitches outside the zone too often, and his strikeout rate needs work. But here’s the exciting part: his elite exit velocity is translating into consistent hard contact. His expected stats now suggest he’s on track to be a well-above-average hitter—the kind of bat that can anchor a lineup.
And then there’s the defense. Remember last year, when Caglianone looked lost in the outfield? That version of him is gone. His cannon arm was always there, but now the accuracy is catching up, making his throws a legitimate weapon from right field. A full offseason dedicated to outfield preparation has paid off—his range has improved dramatically, and he moves with a newfound confidence in the grass. The sample size is still small, but the early returns suggest he’s no longer a defensive liability. He’s even bumped up his sprint speed, showing a commitment to refining every part of his game.
Jac Caglianone isn’t a finished product yet. But for the first time, he looks like a player who belongs—and one who’s just scratching the surface of his potential. For Royals fans, that’s a promise worth getting excited about.