Jac Caglianone was ready for Thursday’s game.
The Kansas City Royals rookie slugger hit not just one, but two home runs (the first two of his career) in Kansas City’s 4-1 victory over the Texas Rangers at Globe Life Field. His big day helped the Royals secure a three-game sweep in Arlington for the first time since July 11–13, 2003.
Caglianone hit his first career home run, a 387-foot blast in the second inning, during his first plate appearance. In the ninth inning, he contributed to his milestone day by hitting his second home run, this time to right-center field, but higher in the crowd at 439 feet.
MLB Insider: Royals Promoted Caglianone Too Soon
Former Miami Marlins President David Samson joined Foul Territory this week to give his thoughts on all things MLB, including the business side of the Royals promoting their top prospect.
Samson argued that while the Royals needed a jolt on offense, there is a financial element to promoting players. While promoting Caglianone made baseball sense, Samson explained that it wasn’t a sound business decision.
“By calling him up when they did, they’re risking losing like $8 million.”@DavidPSamson explains his argument for why the Royals should’ve waited a couple of weeks before calling up Jac Caglianone. pic.twitter.com/u0pG0KmalI
— Foul Territory (@FoulTerritoryTV) June 19, 2025
“If you have a player who’s gonna make it to arbitration, if you give that player Super Two status, what that means is that they have a fourth year of arbitration. What that means is, instead of being paid the minimum, just call it a million dollars, they’re being paid four million dollars.
And that’s 3 million dollars spent on a player that you could spend on other players. That’s only year one. Then year two becomes your second year of arbitration. That’s another $4 million extra dollars. So by calling him up when they did, they’re risking losing like 8 million dollars.”
Samson concluded that small-market clubs like the Royals have to make every dollar stretch in a way that big-market teams don’t. $8 million means a lot more to Kansas City than it would to a team like the Boston Red Sox.
LumberJAC 💥
Jac Caglianone cracks his first Major League home run 🔥 pic.twitter.com/rmvF7B9E5y
— MLB (@MLB) June 19, 2025
On the flip side, the Royals returned to the playoffs last year after a long hiatus and look to return this year. Caglianone has the potential to be their best slugger, and perhaps second-best hitter overall. If he helps the team make the playoffs in 2025 (let alone through the decade), the Royals would generate way more than $8 million in value from this decision.
Caglianone’s Big Day
As he jogged around the bases and headed back to the dugout, the right fielder had a large smile on his face. His Royals teammates first treated him like a rookie by excluding him from a celebration as he arrived at the bench following a long tradition.
Unfazed, Caglianone gave himself a high-five line while no one else was there. Captain and catcher Salvador Perez and star shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. then acknowledged the accomplishment, which inspired the other players to follow suit.
Jac Caglianone first career big league homer and an extended “silent treatment” from his teammates to celebrate. Wait for the end! pic.twitter.com/QUHQh4ZbcI
— Joel Goldberg (@goldbergkc) June 19, 2025
Caglianone has struggled in his brief major league tenure. In 14 games, he has slashed .218/.232/.364 with two doubles, two homers, one walk and 12 strikeouts. It’s not uncommon for rookies to experience an adjustment period in the big leagues. Perhaps his big game represents more to come.
Following their sweep of the Rangers, the Royals are 37-38. They are now in fourth place and 11 games behind the Detroit Tigers in the American League Central.