Jac Caglianone blasted eight home runs at the 2026 Home Run Derby in Philadelphia on Monday night, a performance that, while not enough to advance him, definitely showed off some serious pop. He might not have made the second round, but this kid put on a show for his first Derby appearance.
The Numbers Tell the Story: Power is REAL
Eight homers might sound like a low number, especially in the Derby, but you gotta put it in perspective. It's the same amount as hometown hero Bryce Harper slugged! And it's only one less than Chicago White Sox power hitter Munetaka Murakami managed. Caglianone clearly wasn't at the bottom of the barrel either; New York Yankees first baseman Ben Rice only hit seven. Phillies slugger Kyle Schwarber took the last bracket spot with 10 dingers, meaning Caglianone was just two away from moving on. But forget the final score for a minute, look at the pure power. He tied for the hardest-hit ball of the entire night at a blistering 116 mph. Junior Caminero hit that mark twice, but Caglianone proved he's got that elite exit velocity. His longest shot traveled 477 feet, tying for tenth farthest overall. Sure, Caminero and Wilson Contreras accounted for most of the longer blasts, but 477 feet is still absolutely hammering the ball.A Future Star for the Royals? You Bet!
This guy is emerging as a potential star for the Kansas City Royals in his very first full season with the club. He's slashing .260/.321/.461 with a team-leading 15 home runs already! That's impressive for a rookie, and the Derby showing just confirms the raw talent. Florida's all-time home run leader is living up to the hype, and with the Gators' history of producing Derby champs like two-time winner Pete Alonso, Caglianone looks like he's on the right track. This Derby was just a taste of what's coming. The Derby is over, but Caglianone's season is just getting started. Keep an eye on his numbers with the Royals; if he keeps hitting dingers like this, that "potential star" label is gonna turn into "bona fide superstar" pretty fast.This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.