Caglianone soaks in Kauffman debut with Kansas City’s biggest star in attendance

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (KCTV) - When Jac Caglianone made his way from the on-deck circle in front of the Kansas City Royals’ first base dugout to the left-handed batter’s box Tuesday night, the 22-year-old did so while soaking in the cheers.

Royals fans rose to their feet and provided the 2024 first-round pick with a standing ovation ahead of his first at-bat at home.

“It was really cool to hear the crowd react the way they did,” Caglianone said of the ovation he received prior to his first at-bat. “It’s a super warm welcome. I’m thankful for everyone that was a part of it.”

Caglianone went 1-for-4 with an RBI in his Kauffman Stadium debut, producing a run on a groundout in that second inning at-bat and a base hit in the ninth inning on a 110.7 mph ground ball to right field.

READ MORE: ‘It’s home’: How Jac Caglianone spent his first off day in Kansas City ahead of home debut

Last year at this time, Caglianone and the Florida Gators were playing in Omaha in the College World Series. The 6-foot-5 top prospect for the Royals said those games were the closest to Tuesday night in of the largest crowds he’d ever played in front of.

Among the 30,017 in attendance was Kansas City Chiefs quarterback and Royals minority owner Patrick Mahomes. The three-time Super Bowl champion was seated just steps away from the Royals dugout throughout the night.

“My second to last (at-bat), I just looked over and kind of smiled,” Caglianone said of his lone interaction with Mahomes for the night. “I was like, ‘I’ve got to do something cool,’ and then I rolled over (to first base).”

Caglianone is still searching for his first MLB home run after battering his way to the big leagues by overpowering minor league pitching. Following the loss, pitcher Noah Cameron predicted Caglianone would get one Wednesday night.

The Royals top prospect said he hoped to deliver on that expectation.

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