Entering Sunday’s contest, the Royals were dead-last in home runs with 34 as a team. Seattle Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh has 23 home runs by his lonesome!
While down in Triple-A, the burly 6-foot-5, 250-pound Jac Caglianone was destroying Triple-A with six home runs in 50 plate appearances while slashing .326/.380/.767 with a 10% walk rate and 16% strikeout rate.
After much clammoring from Royals fans, Kansas City has finally decided to do the deed and call up its prized prospect, per ESPN’s Jeff Passan.
Caglianone will likely either DH or play the outfield with Vinnie Pasquantino at first base. A middle-of-the-order consisting of Bobby Witt Jr., Pasquantino, Salvador Perez and Caglianone is juicy on paper and, not only provides more power, but balance to the lineup, as Pasquantino is the only current lefty.
The outfield of Drew Waters, John Rave and Kyle Isbel has a total of four home runs on the season.
Now, Kauffman Stadium ranks 25th for home runs according to Statcast Park Factors and the probabilities that Caglianone struggles in his first taste of MLB action are high. That said, there is no questioning his raw power, which is rated at 70 while the game power is at 45. In addition, through his brief professional career in the minor leagues, the plate discipline has been very good.
