Young Royals Slugger Drawing Elite Prospect Comparisons

Jac Caglianone could be the 2026 version of Junior Caminero's breakout season with the Royals.

Jan. 27, 2026 at 4:07pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

The Kansas City Royals have several promising young players, including Jac Caglianone, who is drawing comparisons to Junior Caminero's breakout 2025 season. Caglianone, a former first-round pick, struggled in his MLB debut in 2025 but showed flashes of power that have the Royals optimistic about his future. MLB.com's David Adler believes Caglianone could have a similar power surge in 2026 as Caminero did the previous year.

Why it matters

The Royals are building a core of young talent around Bobby Witt Jr., Maikel Garcia and Vinnie Pasquantino. Caglianone's potential breakout would add another promising young bat to that group and give the Royals even more reason for optimism about their future.

The details

Caglianone, a former first-round pick, struggled in his MLB debut in 2025, hitting just .157 with 7 home runs in 210 at-bats. However, he displayed impressive power in the minors, with a 120.9 mph batted ball and a 12% barrel rate. Adler noted Caglianone's 77.4 mph average swing speed, which ranked among the top 10 in the majors in 2025. The Royals are hopeful that with more experience and the renovations to Kauffman Stadium that favor left-handed power hitters, Caglianone could have a breakout season similar to Caminero's 45-homer campaign in 2025.

  • Caglianone made his MLB debut in June 2025.
  • Caminero made his MLB debut in late September 2023 and was recalled in August 2024.
  • Caminero broke out in 2025, hitting .264 with 45 home runs and 110 RBIs in 602 at-bats.

The players

Jac Caglianone

A young slugger in the Kansas City Royals' system who is drawing comparisons to Junior Caminero's breakout 2025 season.

Junior Caminero

A top prospect for the Tampa Bay Rays who broke out in 2025, hitting .264 with 45 home runs and 110 RBIs.

Bobby Witt Jr.

A core part of the Royals' young talent alongside Maikel Garcia and Vinnie Pasquantino.

Maikel Garcia

A core part of the Royals' young talent alongside Bobby Witt Jr. and Vinnie Pasquantino.

Vinnie Pasquantino

A core part of the Royals' young talent alongside Bobby Witt Jr. and Maikel Garcia.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“Expect Caglianone to slug like Caminero, a similar elite-bat-speed young slugger who only hit six homers for the Rays as a rookie in 2024 but then erupted for 45, also in a friendlier ballpark, in 2025.”

— David Adler, MLB.com writer (MLB.com)

The takeaway

The Royals' young core of talent, including Caglianone, is generating excitement for the team's future. If Caglianone can harness his power potential and have a breakout season similar to Caminero's in 2025, it would be a significant boost for the Royals as they look to build a contender in the coming years.