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MLB Announces Historic Jac Caglianone News

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Gavin M. Groe | Last updated Jun 20, 2025 6:31 PM ET

The Kansas City Royals have faced an uphill battle this season. Currently posting a 37-38 record and sitting fourth in the AL Central, the team finds itself 10.5 games behind the league-leading Detroit Tigers yet only 1.5 games out of a wild card spot.

While the Royals’ pitching staff has been a bright spot this year—allowing just 3.6 runs per game, which ranks third in MLB—their offensive struggles have become glaring. Averaging only 3.4 runs per game, the Royals’ lack of production is highlighted by a power outage that leaves them tied with the NL Central last-place Pittsburgh Pirates for the fewest home runs in the league at just 53.

In an attempt to add some offensive production into their lineup, the Royals called up Jac Caglianone—the sixth overall pick in the 2024 MLB Draft from Florida—on June 3.

On Thursday, Caglianone hit his first Major League home run against the Texas Rangers pitcher Jacob Latz in a 4-1 victory. As it turns out, this swing was historic for the Royals rookie.

MLB announced on X, “Jac Caglianone crushed the highest pitch a player has hit for his first career home run in the Statcast Era (since 2015).”

Jac Caglianone crushed the highest pitch a player has hit for his first career home run in the Statcast Era (since 2015).

(MLB x @GoogleCloud) pic.twitter.com/WomUaKYaEC
— MLB Stats (@MLBStats) June 20, 2025

Caglianone earned his way to the big league level by showcasing impressive power and plate discipline in just 79 minor league games, during which he hit 17 home runs, drove in 70 RBIs, and posted an OPS of .875.

In the Majors, he is still adjusting to the elevated level of competition, currently batting .218 with a .596 OPS and 1 home run through his first 14 games.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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