MLB Announces Historic Jac Caglianone News originally appeared on Athlon Sports.
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.
Advertisement
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.
Kansas City Royals right fielder Jac Caglianone (14)Jerome Miron – Imagn Images
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.
Advertisement
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).”
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.
Related: Mariners Fans Upset After Announcement on Friday
Related: Dodgers Make Shohei Ohtani Announcement After Padres Game
This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 20, 2025, where it first appeared.