Royals’ former first-round pick could be the difference-maker this season

The 2024 MLB Draft was chock-full of talent, and many of them made their debuts last season, while plenty of others are doing their best to break camp with the big-league club.

The Cleveland Guardians took Travis Bazzana with the first overall pick, followed by Chase Burns, Charlie Condon, Nick Kurtz, and Hagen Smith.

That left Jac Caglianone being selected sixth overall by the Kansas City Royals. And it did not take the Florida University slugger long to make his way through the minors.

MORE: Royals linked to Mississippi State slugger as a potential first-round pick

Royals’ former first-round pick could be the difference-maker this season

Caglianone would get his first MLB action last season on June 3rd in a game against the St. Louis Cardinals. He would see a little success before injuring his left hamstring, sending him to the IL.

Now, he comes into camp healthy and could be one to watch this year. ESPN’s Kiley McDaniel tags him as a potential breakout candidate for Kansas City.

“This might be the easiest pick of this entire exercise. Cags has massive, franchise-shaking upside and was pretty solid last season, but tough ball-in-play luck tanked his numbers. He looks good this spring, and I think he’ll have a huge year.”

McDaniel mentions his tough BABIP, which suggests he got a bit unlucky last year.

On top of that, the club recently moved the walls in at Kauffman Stadium, which Caglianone should benefit greatly from.

He will come into the new season a little more battle-tested than some others. He has been with Team Italy so far during the World Baseball Classic, recently helping them upset a loaded USA team.

Caglianone has all the makings to be a difference-maker in the lineup. Don’t be surprised if he makes it his mission to come and show the five teams who passed on him during the 2024 MLB Draft that they made a huge mistake.