2024 MLB Draft, Kansas City Royals Select Florida First Baseman.

In the 2024 MLB Draft, Florida first baseman Jac Caglianone is chosen by the Kansas City Royals.
Jac Caglianone was one of the greatest two-way players in collegiate baseball history when he finished his career with the Florida Gators. And the Kansas City Royals just made the decision to choose him with the sixth overall pick in the first round of the 2024 MLB Draft. He was rated as the third best prospect by MLB.com and was anticipated by several agencies to be selected in the top five overall heading into the draft.

Breaking many school records, he led the Florida Gators to the College World Series recently. When the superstar hit his 75th career home run against the Kentucky Wildcats in the College World Series, he recently broke the school record for career home runs.
In addition, he made SEC history by being the first player to record two consecutive seasons with 30 or more home runs. Caglianone was his typical dominant self during the Gators’ spectacular playoff run in 2024, going 16 for 36 at the plate (.444) with six home runs and eighteen RBIs in just 11 NCAA Tournament games.

With the ability to throw a fastball at 97 miles per hour and hit a 500-foot home run, the two-way star has accomplished feats on the baseball field that will be remembered for many years. He has a 12-6 record over the last two seasons, striking out 170 batters overall with an ERA of 4.55. Unsurprisingly, he was awarded the 2024 John Olerud Two-Way Player of the Year Award for his efforts as a two-way standout.

After Brian Johnson won in 2012, he became the second golfer from Florida to win the award since its inception in 2010. In 2024, Caglianone amassed a plethora of awards and recognitions, including first team All-American and first team All-SEC recognition from the NCBWA.

In2023, as a sophomore, he once more achieved incredible feats. The native of Tampa was selected as a finalist for the Dick Howser Trophy, John Olerud Two-Way Player of the Year, and Golden Spikes Award. With 33 home runs, Caglianone set a record for both the BBCOR period and the show. With 208 total bases and 90 RBIs, he also set program marks for a single season.

Most scouts favor his incredible power at the plate, even though he’s done some very decent work on the mound over the years. They noted this in his scouting report on MLB.com. “He has some exceptional tools both at the plate and on the mound, but most scouts prefer his left-handed bat over his left-handed arm because of his significant progress as a hitter this spring.”