Royals' Jac Caglianone Hits 120.2 MPH Double vs. Diamondbacks

Former first-round pick's eye-popping spring training feat hints at potential breakout season

Feb. 26, 2026 at 11:22pm

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Kansas City Royals prospect Jac Caglianone, a former first-round draft pick, turned heads in spring training with a 120.2 mph double against the Arizona Diamondbacks, one of the hardest-hit balls in MLB last season. The 120.2 mph exit velocity, along with a 460-foot home run earlier in camp, has intensified optimism about Caglianone's potential for a breakout 2026 season after a difficult rookie year.

Why it matters

Caglianone's raw power and ability to impact the baseball when he squares it up could make him a middle-of-the-order weapon for the Royals if he can improve his plate discipline and contact frequency. This type of elite exit velocity in live game action, rather than just batting practice, signals significant upside for the former two-way Florida Gators standout.

The details

In the fifth inning of a Cactus League game against the Diamondbacks, Caglianone delivered a 120.2 mph double, placing it among the hardest-hit balls in MLB last season. Earlier in camp, he also crushed a 460-foot home run that left the bat at 115.2 mph. The Royals are hoping that Caglianone can pair this level of power with improved plate discipline and contact frequency after a difficult rookie campaign in 2025 when he hit just .157 across 62 games.

  • On Thursday, February 26, 2026, Caglianone recorded the 120.2 mph double against the Diamondbacks.
  • Earlier in spring training, Caglianone hit a 460-foot home run that left the bat at 115.2 mph.

The players

Jac Caglianone

A former first-round pick (No. 6 overall) of the Kansas City Royals in the 2024 MLB Draft, Caglianone is a highly touted prospect who played both ways at the University of Florida.

Kansas City Royals

The Major League Baseball team that drafted Caglianone and is hoping his raw power and ability to impact the baseball can translate into a breakout season in 2026.

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What they’re saying

“Only 2 balls were hit harder in MLB all of last season.”

— Underdog MLB (X (formerly Twitter)

What’s next

The Royals will be closely monitoring Caglianone's performance throughout the remainder of spring training, looking for continued improvements in his plate discipline and contact frequency to pair with his elite raw power.

The takeaway

Caglianone's eye-popping exit velocities in spring training, including a 120.2 mph double, have intensified optimism about his potential to be a middle-of-the-order force for the Royals in 2026 if he can build on his raw tools and translate them into consistent production at the MLB level.