Kansas City Royals star Bobby Witt Jr. is just 24, but three years ago, he was just another top prospect, much like Jac Caglianone in 2025. Witt Jr. remembers how overwhelming it felt walking into a clubhouse full of stars, and his advice for Caglianone was simple:
“Be Jac.”
Bobby Witt Jr. Sees Himself in Jac Caglianone’s Rookie Journey
Caglianone, 21, was one of the Royals’ most hyped call-ups this season. So when Witt Jr. appeared alongside Dodgers superstar Mookie Betts on Bleacher Report’s On Base podcast, it wasn’t long before the conversation turned to the rookie.
Betts asked whether Witt had taken Caglianone under his wing, especially since Witt had been on the same journey. Just three years ago, Witt was in the same position as a young top prospect, trying to adjust to life in the big leagues.
“My biggest thing for that I kind of tell him is just knowing that you’re a big leaguer,” Witt said. “Because I think that was the biggest thing for me.”
Despite dominating the minors, Witt admitted the nerves didn’t simply go away when he made it to the majors. Walking into a clubhouse full of stars such as Salvador Perez, he still remembers how overwhelming it felt.
“It’s like you get up here at a young age or whatever it is, and you’re like looking around, and it’s like, man, there’s Salvador Perez, this guy, this guy,” he said.
So Witt’s advice to Caglianone was not about technical tips on swinging the bat; it was much simpler — be himself and trust his own abilities as a player.
“And I feel like I still to this day do that just because I’m this name, like, I want to do more. I want to help the team get to the playoffs,” Witt told Betts. “I want to do more or whatever it is. And where I just got to go out there and know my routine, know my preparation, just be Bobby Witt Jr.”
“That’s what I tell him every day. Just go out there and be Jac.”
It helps that Witt has lived what Caglianone will eventually have to go through — trying to live up to the expectations, the hype, and the pressure that comes with it.
But as a Royals franchise cornerstone, Witt knows chasing expectations can be a mistake. It’s less about proving you belong and more about trusting the process, sticking to your routine each day, and remembering that the club called you up to the major leagues for a reason.
Despite his early struggles at the plate, Caglianone hasn’t had the smoothest break into the majors, and a little bad luck hasn’t helped. But the former Florida Gators star must quickly realize that not everything in the big leagues is about instant impact. He’ll need to embrace the pressure of expectations and not let it define him.
Unluckiest Hitters of June (xwOBA to wOBA differential)
1. Ben Rice
2. Jac Caglianone
3. Paul Goldschmidt
4. Brenton Doyle
5. Marcell Ozuna
6. Connor Norby
7. Josh Jung
8. Corey Seager
9. Colt Keith
10. Josh Bell
11. Mike Trout
12. Michael Harris II
13. Jonathan India
14. Bryan… pic.twitter.com/n2bJUtUdTR— Jon Anderson (@JonPgh) July 1, 2025
Witt had to quietly embrace that mindset. Now, looking at Caglianone, he hopes his advice — based on his own experiences — can help the rookie get there faster. Like Witt in 2022, Caglianone has already created a buzz among the Royals fanbase.
For Witt, this is more than just mentoring a teammate. He knows what pressure feels like as a top prospect, and he knows how important it is to have someone in your corner to quiet the noise and stay grounded. Now, he’s trying to be that voice for Caglianone: “Just be Jac.”