Will Jac Caglianone emerge as a star this season?
Kansas City Royals outfielder Jac Caglianone's first season in MLB did not go according to plan. He ended up slashing just .157/.237/.295 across 62 games played. Caglianone still features a high ceiling, something MLB.com agrees with. In a recent article published on the website, Caglianone was mentioned as a potential breakout candidate for the Royals.
Anne Rogers of MLB.com wrote about Caglianone's potential and believes the opportunity will be present for him to take a step forward.
"The Royals will give him a chance to win an Opening Day roster spot and make the necessary adjustments to be an everyday player for them. Because if he does, Caglianone’s power immediately transforms this offense," Rogers wrote.
Jac Caglianone to Receive Opportunity to Make Royals' Opening Day Squad
The 22-year-old features an intriguing all-around skill set. The outfielder crushed 20 home runs between Triple-A and Double-A last season. He also slashed .337/.408/.617. As mentioned, he struggled at the big league level, but it is clear he's ready for the next step in his career.
Caglianone will enter 2026 fresh off a full offseason to prepare for the '26 campaign. Last year, he did not know if he'd be playing at the big league level. This year, it is certainly a realistic possibility for him.
Kansas City won't want to rush him back to MLB if he is not ready. If Caglianone proves he is ready in spring training, though, one has to imagine the Royals will not hesitate to add him to the Opening Day roster. As Rogers wrote, he will have an opportunity to earn a spot on the Royals.
Questions for Caglianone in 2026
For Caglianone, it all boils down to consistency. We know he can hit the baseball out of the ball park, but will he hit enough overall to avoid striking out too much? Can he get on base at a consistent enough rate to place pressure on opposing pitchers? How will Caglianone's defense in the outfield translate to the big league level in his second season?
Those are all questions that will be answered in 2026 -- assuming he receives an MLB opportunity. As one of the most exciting young players in the sport, all eyes will be on Caglianone this spring. The MLB world will be locked in as the 22-year-old looks to do enough in spring training to land on the Royals' Opening Day roster.