ST. LOUIS – Royals’ star prospect Jac Caglianone made his Major League debut on Tuesday night, but despite going 0-for-5, his presence was enough to propel Kansas City to a 10-7 victory over the St. Louis Cardinals, overcoming a five-run deficit.
Caglianone, batting sixth as the designated hitter, had his first at-bat in the second inning, receiving an ovation from the Royals fans who traveled to witness the debut of the sixth overall pick of the 2024 amateur draft.“Seeing him arrive at the clubhouse today and seeing what we do on the field… it doesn’t happen by chance. Everyone gets excited, and then you go out and want to do your part and score 10 runs.”
Bobby Witt Jr., Royals shortstop
In his first at-bat, Caglianone lined a shot to the warning track in center-right field, where Cardinals center fielder Victor Scott II made a running catch. Caglianone came close to getting his first hit in the Major Leagues with ground balls to Cardinals third baseman Nolan Arenado in the fifth and seventh innings, but the ten-time Gold Glove winner made accurate throws to get him out at first base.“It was incredible,” Caglianone said. “It’s something I’ll definitely remember forever. I can’t thank the people enough for coming out and showing their support. I’m grateful.”
Jac Caglianone
“He was great in the dugout,” said Royals manager Matt Quatraro. “He went out and attacked. I think it wasn’t a great idea to hit towards those two players in his first two at-bats. There was a really good catch in the first at-bat, and hitting towards Arenado isn’t a great idea. But he hit the ball well. He was ready to play. He looked calm. He’ll get a lot of hits.”
Matt Quatraro, Royals manager
A year ago, Caglianone was playing against Oklahoma State in the NCAA baseball tournament as a member of the Florida Gators. On Tuesday night, he played in front of 26,656 fans.
“The first time I went out to the field, I just wanted to see the field and those things, my initial thought was that these places are like fishbowls,” Caglianone said. “The stands just keep going up forever, but it was nice.”
Jac Caglianone
Jeff Curry/Imagn Images
The 22-year-old player, Caglianone, batted .319 with nine home runs and 43 RBIs in 38 games with Triple-A Omaha, after playing the first 12 games of the season with Double-A Northwest Arkansas, fulfilling the high expectations the Royals had when selecting him.Caglianone’s new teammates in the majors, however, do not expect him to be a savior.“We were very excited when he arrived,” recalled Royals general manager J.J. Picollo. “What we didn’t know is how long it would take. You never know how long it’s going to take, and if it took a year or two years, as long as he becomes a good Major League player, we’d be fine. So there was no real need, at the beginning of this year, to see him in the ’25, but he came out and did what you want players to do.”
J.J. Picollo, Royals general manager
“I would tell him that he is not a savior for this offense, nor should he think he is, nor should anyone think he is, because that is very unfair,” said Royals first baseman Vinnie Pasquantino. “He needs to get into this lineup and be his best version, because his best version is what helps us the most, not that he tries to do too much or save the offense.”
Vinnie Pasquantino, Royals first baseman
