Jac Caglianone is about to step into the biggest spotlight of his career on Monday night, joining seven other sluggers in the 2026 Home Run Derby. But get this: he is bringing a familiar face to throw pitches, his own dad, Jeff Caglianone, and Emerald City fans know *exactly* what that means. Our very own Cal Raleigh, the Big Dumper himself, won the 2025 Derby with his dad, Todd, on the mound. It worked for Cal, and now Caglianone is looking to follow that blueprint!
This Derby Is a Dream Come True for Caglianone
Dude, Caglianone has been fast-tracked to the big leagues, and now he's got a real shot at becoming the youngest Derby winner *ever*. How cool is that? He told MLB.com this whole thing is "something you dream about," that he and his dad "always joked about it." For it to actually happen? He called it "pretty sick!" When Major League Baseball texted him about it, his answer was an "immediate yes." You love to see that kind of raw excitement. He knows it's "going to be a lot of fun" and that he will be "around the best in the game." But for Caglianone, the biggest thing, seriously, is "sharing that with my family." He even said some of his good buddies will be there, and they are "super excited for it." He is smart too, planning to lean on Bobby Witt and Salvador Perez for some coaching tips between rounds. He knows the Derby format has changed, saying "It's not about time anymore. It's about swings." He is just "super excited" for the whole thing, and honestly, who wouldn't be?Jeff Caglianone: The Secret Weapon on the Mound
So, who is the man throwing those perfect pitches? That's Jeff Caglianone, Jac's father. Growing up in Tampa, Florida, Jeff was often the guy throwing batting practice in the offseason. And get this, it is not just Jac who benefited from his arm! As a coach at H.B. Plant High School, other Tampa alums, including Orioles slugger Pete Alonso, reportedly "like Jeff’s BP." The guy clearly knows how to hit the sweet spot. Jeff Caglianone isn't just a BP legend either; he played college ball at Stetson. Today, he is an AV-rated lawyer and managing partner of Caglianone, Miller & Zeifert back in Tampa. But for this Monday night, he is stepping into the spotlight to help his son chase history. Choosing his dad was a huge deal for Jac. He admitted, "Having my dad throw is a huge reason why I’m doing it in the first place, to be honest with you. That’s stuff we talked about growing up, like, ‘How cool would that be?’" This sentimental choice has worked wonders before. Besides our Big Dumper, Cal Raleigh, winning with his dad Todd in 2025, Bryce Harper also won the 2018 Derby with his dad, Ron, on the bump. Can the Caglianone duo follow in Cal's footsteps and bring home the Derby crown? It all goes down Monday night! Get ready for some bombs!This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.