OMAHA, Neb. — To watch Jac Caglianone play on TV or in the stands is one thing. To stand next to the NFL linebacker-sized left-hander, or shake his baseball glove-sized hand is another. Trying to coach your pitcher on the best way to get him out has left most coaches this season still searching for answers.
On Saturday night, Texas A&M manager Jim Schlossnagle tried playing four outfielders during Caglianone’s first at-bat. When asked about it after the game, Schlossnagle verbally shrugged.
“I don’t know,” he said. “If anybody has a better idea, let me know. I don’t know how to get him out.
There haven’t been many answers to the Caglianone question this season. Arkansas skipper Dave Van Horn noted Caglianone’s unique ability to get the barrel to a baseball.
“It’s amazing. I mean, he swings at pitches that are eye-high and hits them over the lights,” Van Horn said. “He swings at bad pitches, but he hits them, and he hits them hard.”
Caglianone has written his name all over the Florida record books. In 2023 he broke the record for most home runs in a season (33). Monday afternoon at the College World Series he broke his own record when he belted his 34th homer of the year, which also tied him with Florida Gators legend Matt LaPorta for the career-number at 74. The home run against NC State was also Caglianone’s 100th hit of the season making him the first Gator to reach the century mark for hits since Jeff Corsaletti in 2005. Caglianone needs just four more hits to tie the Florida record for most in a single season (104 – Mark Kiger & Pat Osborn – 2002).
All the while, Cagliaone remains humble. His star has risen to a height where he’s constantly tugged away from baseball. Whether it’s extra media or television, signing autographs for fans or spending more than an hour after home games making sure every kid has a picture, he’s remained a good teammate and he’s remained a mortal enemy to any baseball thrown in his general direction.
Opposing coaches at the College World Series heap praise on Jac Caglianone
NC State coach Elliott Avent
He’s a free swinger, for sure. And we know Fritton can be very dominant. That’s why we chose to go with him. If he has that electric fastball, which he did early.
We thought we’d go up on Caglianone. Whittaker was coming in to face the next hitter. We thought we’d see if Caglianone would chase again. Unfortunately, Fred got the ball down, and that ball he hit to right center, that’s as hard — I mean, you’re looking at a future Big Leaguer.
I’ve been here and seen Schwarber and Bryce Harper and all these guys growing up and playing baseball, whether you’re recruiting or facing them in college. He’s a big-league hitter, I can tell you that.
Texas A&M Coach Jim Schlossnagle
First at-bat, we played him with four outfielders because we figured — we’ve done it before, but when Cags hits the ball in the air, it’s normally only a homer. He only has, what, four or five doubles in the whole season. At one point he only had two.
But with the wind blowing in, we thought, okay, give ourselves more chances to catch one if he hits it in the air. But once the wind changed, then it was just a matter, you’re trying to catch those liners he hits down the right field line.
I don’t know. If anybody has a better idea, let me know. I don’t know how to get him out.
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