Jac Caglianone got a little extra attention during Royals batting practice Sunday, and he seemed to enjoy every second of it.
A few hours before Kansas City’s game against the Orioles, Caglianone stepped into a solo BP session with Monday’s All-Star Game Home Run Derby in mind. The setup was unusual enough on its own, but the real draw was the battery: his father, Jeff Caglianone, was on the mound, and hitting coach Alec Zumwalt was suited up behind the plate in full catching gear.
That’s the arrangement Jeff will use when he throws to his son in Philadelphia, so this was more than just a tune-up. It was a dress rehearsal with teammates and opponents looking on.
Royals manager Matt Quatraro made a point of stopping to watch before his pregame interview.
“It’s really cool that it’s his dad throwing to him. How special is that?”
Quatraro said. “Just think fathers and sons and parents in general doing stuff with their kids, and to be able to do it on this stage, and then to be able to do it Monday night on that stage is going to be really cool.”
The scene had the feel of a team gathering around a moment they knew mattered. Teammates didn’t take batting practice on the field at Oriole Park and Camden Yards, but plenty came out to watch Caglianone work. A few Orioles players watched, too.
During one break, Tyler Tolbert handed Caglianone a towel and some water, then dabbed sweat from his forehead on an 80-degree morning. Vinnie Pasquantino also stopped to talk with him, and a few people offered Jeff Caglianone advice as he prepared for the derby role.
“That was cool. I didn’t know that many guys would come out,” Quatraro said. “We see guys from the other team watching too.”
With Bobby Witt Jr. and Michael Wacha set to be in Philadelphia for the All-Star Game, Caglianone will have some familiar faces around him at Citizens Bank Stadium. The rest of the Royals will be watching from home, but the rookie outfielder sounded ready for the spotlight.
“I’m excited,” Caglianone said. “I’m really excited for it.”
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Slightom also fits into a system that has been collecting young pitching talent, joining names such as David Shields and Kendry Chourio as part of the next wave. For Kansas City, the appeal is obvious: a big-bodied teenager with power stuff, a college commitment to navigate, and plenty of room for the organization to mold him into something more than a draft-day bet. [Read more 🡒]