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Before promoting 22-year-old Jac Caglianone to Triple-A, the Kansas City Royals emphasized the importance of pitch selection to the young talent. Despite his remarkable skills and impressive batting average of .322 with a .394 on-base percentage and a .553 slugging percentage in Double-A, the Royals are cautious about his tendency to chase pitches, especially with a two-strike chase rate nearing 50%. This flaw, they believe, could be exploited by Major League pitchers.

General Manager J.J. Picollo is keen on seeing Caglianone in Kansas City soon. Caglianone's transition to right field has shown promise in a short time, and Picollo is running out of reasons to keep him from replacing one of the current outfielders. However, the team wants to ensure that Caglianone is truly ready for the big leagues, rather than relying on him to boost an underperforming offense. According to Picollo, the ideal scenario for a player's promotion is joining a team that is already performing well offensively.

Ranked #13 among the top 50 baseball prospects by Keith Law, Caglianone's performance in Double-A has been stellar. However, Law notes that while Caglianone is excelling with pitches in the strike zone, his tendency to expand the strike zone could lead to struggles against Major League pitchers. Nevertheless, Law is optimistic about Caglianone's ability to adjust and improve his approach at the plate.

This season, Caglianone has made significant progress and seems close to earning his spot in the Major Leagues. Alongside promising performances from other prospects like right-hander David Shields, the Royals' scouting director Brian Bridges' first draft looks promising. The Royals' player development strategy, marked by significant investments in young talent, is beginning to show results, though not without some challenges.

As some players like Noah Cameron look to secure their spots in the team's rotation, the Royals continue to evaluate their options. With upcoming returns of Seth Lugo and Cole Ragans, Cameron might be sent back to Triple-A, highlighting the team's need for starting pitching depth. The organization's broader strategy has involved substantial investments in high school pitching talent, with mixed results so far.

The Royals' development system, although a work in progress, has potential future stars. Caglianone's readiness for Major League play remains the key question, but his potential is undeniable. Fans and management alike eagerly await his eventual debut as the team balances development with immediate performance needs.