'Good idea to pick a Gator': Singer praises Caglianone's potential

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KANSAS CITY -- On his flight home for the All-Star break on July 14, Royals pitcher Brady Singer was keeping a close eye on the MLB Draft, both on who Kansas City would select No. 6 overall and where Florida first baseman/left-handed pitcher Jac Caglianone would land.

A Florida star himself from 2016-18 before becoming the Royals’ first-round pick in the 2018 Draft, Singer was hoping the two would align.

So when the Royals selected Caglianone with the No. 6 overall pick, Singer was excited and made sure to talk to general manager J.J. Picollo afterward.

“I told him it's a good idea to pick a Gator,” Singer said. “It’s really cool to keep that going. Always love to get more Gators in the clubhouse.”

Fellow Gators and Florida natives, Singer and Caglianone have worked out together in the offseason at Sukha Club in Tampa with trainer Dylan Smith. Singer has followed Caglianone’s career from a pitcher recruited out of high school to a 6-foot-5, 250-pound slugger who boasted some of the best raw power in this year’s Draft.

Although the Royals have not ruled out two-way status for Caglianone, his 70-grade power from the left side is what has them excited for the future, imagining what it will be like to see home runs splashing into the fountains at Kauffman Stadium.

Count Singer among those who can’t wait for that.

“I was hoping he’d get down there to us,” Singer said. “I know he was slated anywhere in the Top 10. For him to get to us was really cool. Just thinking about Bobby [Witt Jr.] and Vinnie [Pasquantino] and him in that lineup together. The future is going to be unbelievable.”

Singer has never faced Caglianone in those offseason workouts, but he has seen the 21-year-old take batting practice. The power Caglianone possesses is “ridiculous,” Singer said.

“Just a different sound coming off his bat,” Singer said. “Obviously the big body is producing a lot of power, and it’s an aggressive swing. So when he gets a hold of one, it’s fun to watch.”

And Caglianone can pitch.

“I saw him get up to 100 mph quite a few times,” Singer said. “Big build, big lefty, he comes right at you. Heck of a fastball. The ball explodes out of his hand. It’s fun to watch him work on the mound, too.”

Singer caught up with Caglianone briefly Wednesday when Kansas City introduced its top Draft pick at Kauffman Stadium. Having the support of a big leaguer already in the Royals’ clubhouse means the world to Caglianone -- even better that it’s a fellow Floridian-turned-Kansas Citian.

“It’s always daunting when you see professional athletes and you’re not even in college yet,” Caglianone said of the first time he met Singer. “A little timid at first, but the more we kept playing and the more we bonded over being from Florida, it only helped it. This past offseason, working with him, picking his mind because he’s such a competitor. I’ve learned plenty from him, and there’s a lot more, too.”