<\/p>\n
Jac Caglianone grabbed a cup of coffee from teammate Vinnie Pasquantino. He put on a suit jacket and indulged in a rite of passage \u2014 or special celebration \u2014 for any young hitter on Team Italy.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Moments later, Pasquantino gave him a big hug. He kissed both of Caglianone\u2019s cheeks \u2014 an homage to Italian culture \u2014 with a big smile.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Caglianone earned it all.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
The Kansas City Royals standout had just homered on the global stage<\/a>. He hit a 73-mph sweeper off Team USA reliever Ryan Yarbrough. The baseball was left over the plate and Caglianone deposited it into the right-field seats.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n It was his first homer of the 2026 World Baseball Classic. And it gave Italy an early lead over the United States in Pool B play.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Caglianone got the barrel to the baseball. He shortened his swing and pulled the baseball over the wall.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The Royals are hopeful to see similar results this season. Caglianone will have an integral role within the club\u2019s lineup. He is known for his elite power but is still developing consistency at the plate.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cOut there, everyone is amped up and everybody is ready to go,\u201d Caglianone said earlier this spring. \u201cSo you know, it\u2019s like midseason-form baseball in March.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n A home run off Yarbrough \u2014 an established MLB pitcher \u2014 is a good start. According to Statcast, Caglianone registered a 110.4 exit velocity<\/a> on the homer. The baseball traveled 403 feet at a 22-degree launch angle.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n With one swing, Caglianone continued his hot spring. He hit .400 (6-for-15) in Cactus League play before heading to the WBC.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n