Royals Slugger Tipped for Breakout Season

MLB analyst predicts 6-foot-5 power hitter will "blast off" in 2026 thanks to elite bat speed

Feb. 21, 2026 at 6:38pm

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According to MLB analyst Eno Sarris of The Athletic, Kansas City Royals slugger Jac Caglianone is poised for a breakout season in 2026 due to his elite 77.4 mph bat speed, which rivals some of the best power hitters in baseball. Sarris believes the shorter fences at Kauffman Stadium will also benefit the 6-foot-5, 250-pound Caglianone, who struggled in his first MLB season but has shown immense promise in the minors.

Why it matters

Caglianone's potential breakout would be a major boost for the rebuilding Royals, who are looking to their young core of talent to lead the franchise back to contention. The team has struggled in recent years, so a breakout campaign from their young slugger could energize the fanbase and provide hope for the future.

The details

Despite a disappointing 2025 season in which he hit just .157 with a .532 OPS in 62 games for the Royals, Sarris believes Caglianone is poised for a big year. The analyst notes that Caglianone's bat speed of 77.4 mph is better than that of stars like Kyle Schwarber, Aaron Judge, and Nick Kurtz. Sarris also points out that the shorter outfield fences at Kauffman Stadium should play to Caglianone's power strengths, helping him translate his elite bat speed into more home runs.

  • Caglianone struggled in his first MLB season in 2025, hitting .157 with a .532 OPS in 62 games.
  • In the minor leagues in 2025, Caglianone posted an impressive 1.025 OPS in 66 games between Double-A and Triple-A.

The players

Jac Caglianone

A 6-foot-5, 250-pound slugger in the Kansas City Royals organization who is tipped for a breakout season in 2026 due to his elite 77.4 mph bat speed.

Eno Sarris

An MLB analyst for The Athletic who is predicting a big 2026 season for Caglianone based on his advanced metrics and the hitter-friendly dimensions of Kauffman Stadium.

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What they’re saying

“His swing is a little flat, and he hit a few too many ground balls last year, but the fences at Kauffman Stadium are coming in, and this top pick is about to blast off.”

— Eno Sarris, MLB Analyst (The Athletic)

What’s next

If Caglianone can translate his elite bat speed into more power production in 2026, it could be a breakout season that energizes the Royals' fanbase and provides hope for the franchise's future.

The takeaway

Caglianone's potential breakout is an exciting development for the rebuilding Royals, who are hoping their young core of talent can lead the team back to contention. His elite bat speed and the hitter-friendly dimensions of Kauffman Stadium make him a prime candidate for a big season, which could be a much-needed boost for the struggling franchise.