Royals top prospect Jac Caglianone is playing right field for Double-A Northwest Arkansas tonight. It’s the first career outfield work for the lefty power hitter, who had played exclusively first base since being drafted with the #6 overall pick last summer. Caglianone had been a two-way star at the University of Florida, but his only defensive work for the Gators also came at first.
It’s an interesting development considering the Royals have (yet again) gotten very little production from their outfield. Kansas City outfielders were hitting .191/.252/.280 going into play on Thursday. They’re second from the bottom in MLB in all three slash stats — ahead of the White Sox in batting average and slugging, while leading the Braves in on-base percentage. They’re tied for the major league low with four home runs.
That’s not a new problem. MLBTR’s Steve Adams wrote about the Royals’ longstanding outfield woes in a post for Front Office subscribers last May. In the nearly full calendar year since then, their outfield has hit .225/.282/.364 in more than 1700 plate appearances. GM JJ Picollo acknowledged in February the front office was disappointed they were unable to land a significant upgrade during the offseason.
The Royals ran an Opening Day outfield of MJ Melendez, Kyle Isbel and Hunter Renfroe for the second straight season. They shook things up by optioning Melendez last week. Drew Waters has drawn into the lineup instead. He’s playing well in a tiny sample, but he’s a career .233/.307/.400 hitter who has fanned in a third of his big league plate appearances. Renfroe has followed last year’s .229/.297/.392 showing with a dismal .164/.258/.200 slash through 62 trips to the dish.
Caglianone topped 30 home runs in each of his final two seasons at Florida. He struggled over 29 High-A games after the draft, but he’s out to a much stronger start this season. He owns a .300/.374/.529 line with four homers and doubles apiece at Double-A. If he’s not quite on the radar for a major league call yet, a midseason promotion isn’t far-fetched. College hitters selected in the upper half of the first round often reach the big leagues during their first full professional season. Two such players, Cam Smith and Nick Kurtz, are already in the majors.
The path would be a lot cleaner if Caglianone can play a passable right field. Vinnie Pasquantino is the everyday first baseman. While they don’t have a set DH, Salvador Perez sees a good amount of time there to keep him in the lineup when he’s not catching. Caglianone could run his fastball into the upper 90s as a pitcher, so he certainly has the arm strength. The far bigger question is whether he’s mobile enough to play anywhere other than first. He’s listed at 6’5″, 250 pounds and unsurprisingly grades as a below-average runner on scouting reports. It appears the Royals will at least gauge his outfield ability in the minors.
In more immediate news, the team is awaiting word on Cole Ragans. The star left-hander came out of this afternoon’s start after three innings, during which he allowed four runs to Colorado. Anne Rogers of MLB.com writes that Ragans was hampered by left groin tightness and will go for further testing tomorrow.
The Royals have used a rotation comprising Ragans, Seth Lugo, Michael Wacha, Kris Bubic and Michael Lorenzen all year. Kyle Wright and Alec Marsh could have pushed Lorenzen for the fifth starter spot, but they each opened the season on the injured list. Marsh has battled shoulder soreness dating back to the offseason. He was shut back down a few weeks ago after suffering renewed discomfort, but skipper Matt Quatraro told reporters that he’ll restart a throwing program tomorrow (link via The Associated Press).
Just dump Renfroe. Hes garbage in every aspect of the game.
Yes he is an embarrassment of a baseball player and a real bad look for the organization bringing him back. He’s been dreadful for years. Absolute blockhead.
I think he’s done.
Should give Gavin Cross a shot…
He’s currently batting .190 in AA, don’t think he’s gonna be the answer
I wish the royals let him keep pitching since imagine having a lefty power bat on top of a lefty power starting pitcher that’s more versatility than ohtani
Only the Japanese have the scrotal fortitude for that kind of thing. Too bad though cause another two way player would be amazing.
Not really though. Ohtani being a RHP maximizes the number of batters he faces with the platoon advantage.
Finally MJ Melendez is dealt with
Caglianone family are family friends. Kid doesn’t belong in the OF. His talents are hitting got power and throwing for power. While running miles may be in the family genes, speed isn’t. They need to keep him at first and not mess with what they drafted at such a high position.
Corner outfield isn’t that tough. He doesn’t need a lot of speed just needs to get a read on the ball and react to it. They need outfield help bad it’s at least worth a try.
If they called him up tomorrow, would he hit worse than .191 like the other Royals OF? Probably not, what are you waiting for?
Neither does Melendez but the Royals were fine with that for years. I agree with you. It wouldn’t be my plan to stick this kid there but the Royals need a real bat in the OF desperately. Yes, it’s a desperation move.
Yeah Melendez was supposed to hit even if his defense was bad. He couldn’t hit or play defense so new plan.
Watched the game. He looked fine out there. Albeit he didn’t have a who lot of chances a d it’s one game, he definitely didn’t look horrible. I guess more time out there for more evidence is needed.
6 foot 5 250 can be athletic if he’s in shape and I imagine he is. Being tall allows you to carry a lot more weight.
I’m surprised no one is suggesting that they just replace Pasquantino with the kid. It’s not like they’ve been running Willie Stargell out there.
Agreed
As someone who is holding him in a defacto dynasty/keeper league I approve of this message when I already have Ben Rice, Triston Casas, Christian Walker and Nick Kurtz.
I doubt the front office is making decisions based on my fantasy team. They should be…but I doubt it.
I have been someone who’s been trying to point out the trend for a few years now, saying often in “College hitters selected in the upper half of the first round often reach the big leagues during their first full professional season.” is a little aggressive. It happens a dozen or so times in all of the MLB history until a few years ago when the Angels did it with Neto and Schanual in 2023. And a few did the same last year. It will quickly become the new norm but it’s not there yet.