Jac Caglianone has been the story of Kansas City Royals spring training camp. The former Florida Gator two-way star has translated his college power to pro ball in a way that has scouts scrambling to find comparisons. The Royals drafted him knowing the bat would play, but the level of raw power he's shown this spring has exceeded even the most optimistic projections. Multiple evaluators have described his upside as 'franchise-altering.'
The Numbers Tell the Story
Caglianone's Statcast numbers this spring have been historic: a 120.2 mph double, a 116.5 mph double, and a 115.2 mph/460-foot home run. His exit velocities are among the hardest-hit balls recorded in spring training history.
Spring training stats should always be taken with a grain of salt — small sample sizes, inconsistent competition levels, and pitchers still building up arm strength all factor in. But the eye test matches the numbers for Jac Caglianone, and the coaching staff has taken notice.
What It Means for 2026
If Jac Caglianone continues on this trajectory, it could reshape how the Kansas City Royals construct their roster for the regular season. A strong spring doesn't guarantee anything, but it opens doors that may have been closed entering camp. The front office made it clear coming into spring that every roster spot would be earned, and Jac Caglianone has been doing exactly that.
The Road Ahead
With the regular season opener set for March 26, Jac Caglianone has a few more games to make a final impression. Whether that means a spot on the Opening Day roster, a key bench role, or simply building momentum for a mid-season call-up, the Kansas City Royals have reason to be excited about what they've seen this spring. This is the kind of development that turns a good spring training into a great one.