Jac Caglianone’s first crack at the MLB Home Run Derby ended sooner than he wanted, with the former Florida Gators slugger bowing out after the opening round in 2026.
Caglianone finished with eight home runs in the round, a number that didn’t reflect how he settled in as his time at the plate went on. Early on, he was spraying line drives that never really threatened the fence - the kind of contact that would have turned into hard-hit singles in a live game. Then the power finally showed up, but not soon enough to save his night.
The turning point came after he launched a 462-foot shot on his second swing. He then went seven swings without another homer before catching fire again and going deep four times in a row.
His best blast traveled 477 feet to the batter’s eye, while his hardest-hit ball came off at 116 mph. Across his homers, the average distance was 448 feet, and the average exit velocity checked in at 111 mph.
The swing everyone will remember was the one that climbed halfway up the third deck at Citizens Bank Park.
Jac Caglianone to the UPPER DECK 😱 pic.twitter.com/ORKc3ZEIRu
This was Caglianone’s first Home Run Derby appearance, and he entered hoping to become the first Gator to win it since Pete Alonso captured his second title in 2021. That would have made him the second Florida alum ever to win the event.
Caglianone’s power was never a mystery in Gainesville. He played for Florida from 2022 to 2024 and left with a program-record 75 home runs across two and a half seasons. He was also part of the Gators team that came one win shy of the 2023 College World Series title, then helped get Florida back to Omaha the next year before the run again fell short of the Final.
After the 2024 season, Caglianone added the John Olerud 2-Way Player of the Year award to his résumé, while also finishing as a finalist for the Dick Howser Trophy and earning First Team All-American honors.
In Other News...
Former Royals Starter Suddenly Lands In An Uncomfortable Trade Conversation
The Reds are heading toward a deadline that could force some uncomfortable decisions, and the conversation has already turned to players who might not fit their long-term picture if the standings keep sliding. One of the names in the mix is a former Royals starter, which naturally makes this a story Kansas City fans will follow a little more closely than most, even if the move would be driven by Cincinnatis needs more than anything tied to the Royals.
Singers season has not been smooth, but teams around the league still tend to value pitchers who can take the ball every fifth day and help stabilize a staff. With an expiring contract adding another layer to the discussion, he could wind up as one of the more interesting arms on the market if the Reds decide to listen, and the question now is whether a contender sees enough there to make the call. [Read more 🡒]
Royals Add Pitching Depth As Another 40-Man Decision Looms
The Royals kept working the margins of their pitching staff Tuesday, adding a right-hander from Milwaukee as they continue to sort through the back end of the roster. The move gives Kansas City another arm to stash in the system, and it comes after the pitcher had been designated for assignment by the Brewers last week.
He brings a recent mix of big-league and Triple-A experience, including a pair of brief outings in Milwaukee this season and a strong run in the minors since the start of 2025. For the Royals, the immediate question is less about the cost of the deal than how they keep the 40-man roster moving, especially with another injury-related decision already part of the shuffle. [Read more 🡒]
Jac Caglianone Put Royals Power On Display With One Detail Fans Loved
Jac Caglianones first Home Run Derby appearance gave Royals fans exactly the kind of power display they had been hoping to see. Under the lights at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia, the rookie showed off the kind of raw pop that has made him such a buzzworthy part of Kansas Citys future, and he did it with enough authority to turn heads well beyond the Royals fan base.
The best swing of the night came when one of his drives kept carrying all the way to the third deck, a reminder of just how loud his contact can be when he squares one up. Caglianone finished with eight homers in the opening round, and even without a trip to the next stage, the debut reinforced why his bat has become such a big draw for Kansas City. [Read more 🡒]