KANSAS CITY -- Jac Caglianone is headed to Triple-A Omaha.
The Royals promoted their top prospect -- and MLB’s No. 10 prospect, per MLB Pipeline -- from Double-A to Triple-A on Sunday night, and Caglianone will begin his stint with the Storm Chasers on Tuesday night when they go on the road to play Salt Lake (Angels).
Kansas City also promoted Frank Mozzicato, their No. 12 prospect, to Double-A after the lefty posted a 1.24 ERA in seven starts with High-A Quad Cities.
Sunday’s move was one step closer to the Majors for Caglianone, whom the Royals selected No. 6 overall in last summer’s MLB Draft out of Florida. Since then, he’s established himself as a top hitting prospect in baseball -- and someone who could arrive in Kansas City as soon as this summer.
The 22-year-old mashed in 38 games in Double-A where he began his first full professional season, slashing .322/.394/.553, with eight doubles, nine homers and 43 RBIs. He struck out 37 times in 175 plate appearances and walked 19 times.
Caglianone was dominating Double-A pitching, and it was only a matter of time before the Royals moved him up a level. While he has been focusing on first base since the spring, the Royals had him start to get reps in right field at the end of April, increasing his versatility as they began to think about what his fit would be on their big league roster.
He logged six games in right field, as well as one in left field. That first base-outfield rotation will likely continue in Triple-A.
Still, the Royals won’t rush their top prospect, no matter how much everyone would like to see him demolish balls into the fountains at Kauffman Stadium. They gave Caglianone a month-plus to settle into Double-A, preaching patience for a slugger less than a year into his pro career, and would like to see him settle into Triple-A now. His potential callup will be based on his performance and what the Royals need on their big league roster.
But he’s now closer than ever.