Caglianone’s No. 14 enshrined in Plant’s baseball history

Story by Jarrett Guthrie, Editor
Photos by Mike Camunas, Creative Director

TAMPA – Just over 18 months ago, Jac Caglianone was finishing off an incredible college career in Omaha, Neb. after helping the University of Florida reach the semifinals of the 2024 NCAA College World Series. And just 12 months ago the 2021 Plant High alum made his Major League debut for the Kansas City Royals.

On Monday, Caglianone was surrounded by his family, former Plant teammates and a trio of distinguished Panther greats, as his No. 14 Plant jersey was retired by the school and head coach Dennis Braun.

“Jac is a very talkative, open guy and I’ve always told everyone that he was going to be a big-league-something,” Braun said. “Even if he didn’t make the Big Leagues in baseball, I always knew he’d be something special in life.

“In a nutshell, he’s always asked questions, always wanted to learn about the game and always been very appreciative.”

Prior to Plant’s preseason opener, the soon-to-be 23-year-old Caglianone along with his family and friends took pictures in front of the newest banner on the outfield wall – the 13th retired number, which was added to the crowded collection of impressive names.

After his name was placed on the wall alongside the field’s namesake Wade Boggs, reigning back-to-back NCAA Division-II National Championship coach Joe Urso (UTampa), nine-year MLB veteran pitcher Mychal Givens, and current Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder Kyle Tucker, just to name a few, Braun presented him with a framed jersey and both player and coach addressed the crowd.

“This is something I’m going to take a lot of pride in,” Caglianone said. “These guys up on that wall – those are some big names – so to have my name up there, too, it’s pretty surreal.

“My Dad and I got to see it a little early, so that made it a bit more special.”

Representing the past number-retirees at the event were former MLB outfielder Corey Brown, Givens (who was recently named the head coach at Pinellas’ Shorecrest Prep), and Urso, who has had a up-close view of the newest honoree’s success with two sons playing at Plant during Caglianone’s tenure, and close friendship with Urso’s youngest son Preston.

“I remember at Brandon High School when the University of Florida was there to recruit him when he was only a freshman and I told them he was going to be a superstar,” Urso said. “Back then I thought he was going to end up being a pitcher, but look at the power hitter he’s become.

“Everyone talks about what a specimen he is, a body that looks like it was built in a lab, but to me the impressive part is about how hard he works. He’ll text me at night to ask if I’ll turn the lights on (at UTampa’s field) and he and his dad, Jeff, will be out there and they don’t stop. He works his tail off.”

After a standout, three-year collegiate career at the University of Florida Caglianone was drafted by the Royals No. 6-overall in the 2024 MLB First Year Players Draft, and made his MLB debut in June of last year. Caglianone hit seven home runs and had 18 RBI in his first 62 games at the Major League level.

“Just to start last year with a big league invite to (Spring Training) camp was awesome,” he said. “I really didn’t know what to expect. I went out and had a really good spring, and was told I was going to start the year in Double-A and was pretty happy with that. (I) spent about a month and some change in Double-A, got sent up to Triple-A, and in two weeks was being told, ‘hey, you’re going up to the show.’ It happened so fast … it was definitely a surprising, ‘Wow, this is really happening’ moment.”

A 2021 Plant graduate, Caglianone batted .371 his senior season, while also going 5-1 on the mound with 65 strikeouts in 37 innings, while posting a 2.44 ERA.

During his introductory speech Braun listed many of Caglianone’s accomplishments, from his immediate impact his freshman season at UF with a .288 average and seven home runs while serving as the designated hitter, to his final two years that included setting UF’s single-season home run mark (33) and career mark (75), along with being named the John Olerud Award recipient (given to the best two-way player in the country) for his junior year.

Caglianone credited his former coach with helping him find focus and direction at a pivotal moment in his young career.

“I was quick to anger, I was reckless and pretty immature when I got here,” Caglianone said. “And Coach Braun really helped me find ways to channel that into competition, rather than beating myself up.

“He has a little stigma of being a hard-style coach, but he was very protective. He’s the most considerate coach that I’ve ever had. He really cares about his players and I owe a lot to him.”

Up next, he said he would be leaving next week for Arizona for the Royals’ Spring Training camp, but his stay there will be a short one as he is set to represent Italy in March’s World Baseball Classic. Though he committed to the team last year, the rosters were made official on Monday – and with an added bonus for Caglianone, who will be joined by Royals’ teammate 1B Vinny Pasquantino.

“I’m so excited for that (the WBC) opportunity, and having a guy like Vinny with me to help me get through it,” Caglianone said. Then added with a smile: “We’ve been over the schedule, but I honestly couldn’t tell you a single day when we’re supposed to be there. Thankfully, Vinny is in the locker room, so he’ll tell me when we go.”