It’s just what it says on the tin.
While Jac Caglianone is not (currently) an All-Star, though there’s still a remote chance he could be selected as an alternate for a player who is injured or opts out between now and then, but he will still be participating in the Home Run Derby.
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Caglianone is tied for 19th in the American League with 14 home runs, but as noted in the above clip, he is tied for the longest average home run distance this year in a minimum of 10 blasts. The Royals also provided a bevy of home run-related trivia for Jac in their press release this morning:
Caglianone, 23, will be the sixth Royal to participate in the Home Run Derby, following Bo Jackson (1989), Danny Tartabull (1991), Mike Moustakas (2017), Salvador Perez (2021) and Bobby Witt Jr. (2024). No Royal has won the Home Run Derby but Witt Jr. was the runner-up in 2024, when he hit 50 home runs in total, including 13 in the final round, 1 shy of Teoscar Hernández’s 14.
He hit 6 home runs in a span of 5 games from June 18-23, including a 2-HR game on June 21 vs. St. Louis and another 2-HR game two days later on June 23 at Tampa Bay.
Among American League players age 23 or younger, his 14 home runs rank tied for 3rd, trailing only Junior Caminero (26) and Nick Kurtz (20).
Caglianone participated in the 2024 Arizona Fall League Home Run Derby. During his collegiate career at the University of Florida, he set the school’s single-season home run record (35) and the career record (75). He homered in 9 consecutive games from April 6-19, 2024, matching the NCAA Division I record.
Only Junior Caminero, Nick Kurtz, and Kody Clemens have hit more home runs in the AL since the beginning of June. Caglianone joins the Yankees’ Ben Rice and the Rays’ Caminero in the field of competitors, but we’re still waiting to see who the other five will be. Kyle Schwarber has indicated he will participate if his back feels alright, but that’s still to be determined.
If Jac could become the first-ever Royals’ Home Run Derby Champion, he would also be awarded this sick Home Run Derby Victory Chain.
I’d love to be able to get a replica during next season after Jac hammers his competition. I hope you’re all looking forward to Monday night on Netflix at 8 PM EDT/7 PM CDT. I know what I’ll be doing!
