Jac Caglianone showed the world he can crush baseballs, but his exit from the Home Run Derby leaves a nagging question. The Royals slugger hit a 477-foot bomb that landed in the third deck, yet he couldn’t finish the night. His shoulder feels sore, and that is a bad sign for a team counting on his bat all season.
Raw Power on Display
Caglianone made a statement early with a Statcast-projected 477-foot rocket into right field. This was the second-longest home run by a lefty all night, trailing only Bryce Harper’s 482-foot shot. According to MLB.com Royals, he also smashed a 475-footer to center that proved his raw strength is elite. He hit eight total home runs in the first round before getting eliminated by Junior Caminero.
The power is undeniable. He hit a 462-foot laser off the Toyota sign on his second swing. But he went seven swings without a homer after that early burst. He found a rhythm later, blasting four long balls in a row on swings 10 through 13. That sequence showed he could get hot fast, but the lack of early consistency cost him a spot in the next round.
The Shoulder Concern
The big worry isn’t the Derby loss; it is the injury report released after the event. Caglianone exited early due to shoulder soreness, and the team says he “should be good” after Tuesday’s exit. That phrase sounds optimistic, but soreness in a throwing shoulder is never something to ignore. A player needs 100 percent health to survive a 162-game grind.
Bobby Witt Jr. praised the effort, noting the special power Caglianone possesses. “It’s special power,” said teammate Bobby Witt Jr. per MLB.com Royals. “I knew he had it in the tank. I know he had a lot of fun with his dad out there.” The fun was great, but the Royals need him healthy, not just happy. The team also noted that his father, Jeff, was pitching to him, which added a unique layer to the event.
What This Means for Kansas City
Left-handed hitters struggled mightily at Citizens Bank Park during the Derby. None of the five lefties in the opening round hit more than 10 home runs. Caglianone was one of them, finishing tied for sixth with eight blasts. The right-handed hitters like Willson Contreras and Jordan Walker dominated the round, with Walker winning the whole thing. This park played differently for lefties, but the soreness is the real story.
The Royals have invested heavily in Caglianone’s future. He is in his second year in the big leagues and has shown some of the best raw power in baseball. If that shoulder acts up again, the timeline for his development could shift. The team needs to monitor him closely before the next series. One bad swing could turn this promising season into a long recovery.
Do you think the shoulder soreness is a minor bump or a major red flag for the Royals’ lineup? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.
