Jac Caglianone treina com o pai antes do MLB Home Run Derby

Before digging in at the plate Sunday, Royals right fielder Jac Caglianone turned his cap backward and the good-natured razzing from teammates began.

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A few hours before the Royals’ game against the Orioles, Caglianone took batting practice alone in preparation for Monday’s All-Star Game Home Run Derby in Philadelphia. While his teammates didn’t take BP on the field at Oriole Park and Camden Yards, many came to watch. A few Orioles players did, too.

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What made this uncommon was the battery. Hitting coach Alec Zumwalt was in full catching gear behind the plate. In front of the mound was Jeff Caglianone, Jac’s father. He will be throwing to his son at the Home Run Derby and this was merely a practice session.

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But it was a special moment, even if it was a prequel to the big show.

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“It’s really cool that it’s his dad throwing to him. How special is that?” said Royals manager Matt Quatraro, who delayed his pregame interview to watch. “Just think fathers and sons and parents in general doing stuff with their kids, and to be able to do it on this stage, and then to be able to do it Monday night on that stage is going to be really cool.”

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During a break, teammates brought Caglianone a towel and some water. Tyler Tolbert dabbed Caglianone’s forehead at one point to remove the sweat on an 80-degree morning.

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At another time, Vinnie Pasquantino chatted with Caglianone during a break, and a few people gave his dad some advice.

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“That was cool. I didn’t know that many guys would come out. We see guys from the other team watching too.”

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Teammates Bobby Witt Jr. and Michael Wacha will be in Philly for the All-Star Game, so Caglianone will have support at Citizen Bank Stadium. And his coaches and teammates will be watching at home, too.

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“I’m excited,” Caglianone said. “I’m really excited for it.”

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