Caglianone swaps jerseys with old friend at Spring Breakout
SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -- When Royals top prospect and MLB’s No. 22 prospect Jac Caglianone stepped to the plate in the seventh inning Friday night, he saw the D-backs' outfielders take a step back. Well, maybe a few steps back. Arizona pitcher Philip Abner, watching from the dugout, thought that was
SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -- When Royals top prospect and MLB’s No. 22 prospect Jac Caglianone stepped to the plate in the seventh inning Friday night, he saw the D-backs' outfielders take a step back. Well, maybe a few steps back.
Arizona pitcher Philip Abner, watching from the dugout, thought that was probably smart.
"Everything he hits,” Abner said, “is hard.”
Abner, Caglianone's former teammate and roommate at the University of Florida, knows this all too well. Sure enough, Caglianone did indeed hit the snot out of a fastball from D-backs prospect Daniel Eagen, a 109.6 mph rocket that headed straight for the glove of left fielder Anderdson Rojas.
Another hard-hit out on an unusually chilly night in Scottsdale, one of several for the Royals’ prospects in their 5-2 loss to the D-backs' prospects in their Spring Breakout game.
"When I hit it and didn’t see the left fielder move, that’s such a bad feeling,” Caglianone said, laughing. “But I was just trying to not do too much. Took that first hack on a curveball, then just had to reset. Hit that ball really hard. Just right where they were standing."
Caglianone went 1-for-4 and played all eight innings the Royals were in the field at first base.
After the game, Caglianone and Abner, who didn’t pitch Friday, swapped jerseys behind home plate. They were set on making it happen after finding out the D-backs would host the Royals in the second year of Spring Breakout.
Caglianone was hoping to face Abner, whom the D-backs selected in the sixth round of the 2023 Draft out of Florida, a year before Caglianone went to the Royals with the No. 6 overall pick.
"This is an important game, especially against the Royals with Jac, and it’s just fun to be a part of it even if we didn’t get to face each other,” Abner said.
"You couldn’t have drawn it up any better,” Caglianone added. “Especially with the jersey swap. It’s always nice to see Phil. We had two years together at Florida and they were super fun and memorable. It’s cool to see him again and do this."
📩 SUBSCRIBE TO THE BASEBALL TRAVELER NEWSLETTER
Caglianone did record a knock off Abner in the Arizona Fall League last year, so he still holds bragging rights over his fellow Gator.
"Good extension, good curveball,” Caglianone said of Abner. “He’s got like a cut-ride heater, so it kind of plays games with your mind when you see it come in because it looks like it’ll break, but it won’t.”
But Abner knows what he wants to do when he is able to face Caglianone again.
"In the Fall League, I blew him up with a fastball, and then he smacked another fastball,” Abner said. “Definitely next time I've got to get some breaking balls away, try to get some swing-and-miss. You can only throw Jac so many fastballs before he smacks one.”
Mozzicato’s velocity
Frank Mozzicato had to wait his turn to pitch on Friday, but it was worth the wait. The Royals’ No. 12 prospect struck out two in the final two innings, and what stood out almost as much as the two zeros he threw on the board was the velocity that was flashing up there.
Mozzicato topped out at 93.7 mph and averaged 92.4 mph. At High-A Quad Cities last year, Mozzicato was throwing 88-89 mph with his fastball, leading to some concerning underlying metrics despite the 3.45 ERA he posted over 22 starts. His strikeout rate dipped to 21.3%, while his walk rate remained high at 14.5%.
A focus this offseason on his mindset on the mound and mentality off it has Mozzicato pitching “freer” this spring, he said. And the Royals have zeroed in on Mozzicato’s delivery, trying to shorten his arm action, to lead to better command.
Time will tell if all the work Mozzicato has done in the offseason and so far this spring will pay off for the left-hander, the Royals’ first-round pick in 2021. He’ll likely be heading to Double-A to begin the season, where better hitters will challenge him. But he certainly looked the part Friday night, mowing down three batters in the seventh inning and working around a walk and a single in the eighth.
"Last year, I learned a lot about myself and really honed in on my mechanics and how I’m feeling,” Mozzicato said. “So I definitely think it’s in me. But what’s most important is getting outs at the end of the day. That’s what they pay you for."
Vazquez is ‘fast’
Daniel Vazquez, the Royals’ No. 27 prospect, was 2-for-4 with a walk and a run scored and tried to get things going for the Kansas City offense when he tripled in the sixth inning. He was ready for a 2-0 fastball and got one in the zone, smoking it the opposite way into the right-field corner.
The Royals’ second baseman was thinking double out of the box, but hit the gas when he saw the ball go down the line.
"And I am fast,” Vazquez said. “This game was pretty fun. I had a good time with my team and facing [the D-backs], who have good players. Everyone on the field was good. The competition was really good.”
The Royals were aggressive when they sent Vazquez to Single-A Columbia as an 18-year-old. Three seasons later, he looks to finally be ready for the next level. Now 21, Vazquez is bigger, stronger and faster and seems to have made improvements with his swing to be ready for High-A this year.
While Vazquez is by no means a finished product and still needs to see improvement for him to reach his ceiling, he’s hitting more line drives now, can work a walk like he did in the ninth inning Friday and create some chaos on the bases when needed.
Anne Rogers covers the Royals for MLB.com.
Fanfest Returns to Bowling Green Ballpark Saturday
Bowling Green, Kentucky – The Bowling Green Hot Rods are excited to host their annual fanfest event at Bowling Green Ballpark on Saturday, March 15, from noon to 2:00 PM CT. All fans are invited to pick up or purchase their season and individual game tickets, sample concessions items, buy
Hot Rods and White Squirrel Team Up For New Brew
Bowling Green, Kentucky – The Bowling Green Hot Rods and White Squirrel Brewery are proud to announce a unique partnership and the unveiling of their new beer, “Line Drive Lager.” The two organizations will hold a beer release party at White Squirrel Brewery on Saturday, March 8 at 1:00 PM
Hot Rods score fourth SAL championship in the past six years
Hoisting the South Atlantic League championship banner has become something of a tradition for the Rays' High-A affiliate. The Bowling Green Hot Rods captured its fourth title over the past six seasons with a 4-1 victory over the Hudson Valley Renegades (Yankees) in a winner-take-all Game 3 in the Championship
Hot Rods Bring Home Third Title in Four Years with 4-1 Victory
Wappingers Falls, New York – Noah Myers notched his third multi-hit game in a row to help earn a 4-1 win for the Bowling Green Hot Rods (2-1, 4-1) over the Hudson Valley Renegades (1-2, 3-3) and a South Atlantic League Championship. This is the franchises third SAL title in
Hot Rods Fall 6-2, Game Three Set for Wednesday
Wappingers Falls, New York – Tatem Levins and Noah Myers tagged four of the Bowling Green Hot Rods (1-1, 3-1) six hits in a 6-2 loss to the Hudson Valley Renegades (1-1, 3-2) on Tuesday from Heritage Financial Park. Bowling Green struck first in the top of the second against
Horvath Collects Three Hits, Hot Rods One Win Away from Title
Bowling Green, Kentucky – Mac Horvath smacked three of the Bowling Green Hot Rods (1-0, 3-0) 16 hits in a 5-1 victory over the Hudson Valley Renegades (0-1, 2-2) in game one of the South Atlantic League Championship Series. Roc Riggio hammered a lead off homer in the top of
Ledbetter’s Three-Hit Night Helps Bowling Green Advance
Rome, Georgia – Colton Ledbetter collected three hits and scored two runs, boosting the Bowling Green Hot Rods (2-0) to series clinching, 4-1 win over the Rome Emperors (0-2) on Thursday at AdventHealth Stadium in Rome, Georgia. Bowling Green broke onto the scoreboard first with a run in the top
Hot Rods Win 3-1 Behind Levins Blast, Take 1-0 Division Series Lead
Bowling Green, Kentucky – Tatem Levins kick started the offense with a solo homer in the third, leading to a 3-1 win for the Bowling Green Hot Rods (1-0) over the Rome Emperors (0-1) in game one of the South Atlantic Division Series. Rome began the scoring in the top
Hopkins Spins 6.0 Scoreless Innings In 1-0 Loss
Greensboro, North Carolina – Brody Hopkins shined on the mound, hurling 6.0 scoreless innings while striking out seven but the Bowling Green Hot Rods (39-23, 75-53) bats went quiet, dropping the penultimate game of the series, 1-0 to the Greensboro Grasshoppers (35-29, 74-55) on Saturday at First National Bank Field
Hot Rods Drop Third Consecutive Game in 4-3 Loss
Greensboro, North Carolina – Mac Horvath blasted his 13th long ball of the season but it wasn’t enough for the Bowling Green Hot Rods (39-22, 75-52) as they suffered a 4-3 loss to the Greensboro Grasshoppers (34-29, 73-55) on Friday at First National Bank Field in Greensboro, North Carolina. The
Late Inning Dramatics End in Hot Rods 5-4 Loss
Greensboro, North Carolina – Colton Ledbetter grabbed another three-hit game and Noah Myers went deep, but it was enough as the Bowling Green Hot Rods (39-21, 75-51) dropped the third game of the series, 5-4 to the Greensboro Grasshoppers (33-29, 72-55) on Thursday at First National Bank Field in Greensboro,
Ledbetter Homers in 2-1 Loss to Greensboro
Greensboro, North Carolina – Colton Ledbetter’s seventh-inning solo home run was the only offense for the Bowling Green Hot Rods (39-20, 75-50) in a 2-1 loss to the Greensboro Grasshoppers (32-29, 71-55) at First National Bank Field in Greensboro, North Carolina. Greensboro plated the first run of the game in
Hot Rods to Host Playoff Game September 10
Bowling Green, Kentucky – The Bowling Green Hot Rods are excited to welcome in fans to Bowling Green Ballpark for the first round of the South Atlantic League playoffs as they host the Rome Emperors on Tuesday, September 10. First pitch for the matchup will take place at 6:35 PM
Haas Tallies Multi-Hit Performance, Hot Rods Drop Finale 6-1
Bowling Green, Kentucky - Hunter Haas collected a single and a double, but the Bowling Green Hot Rods (38-19, 74-49) were held to five hits in a 6-1 loss to the Greenville Drive (34-26, 60-66) on Sunday at Bowling Green Ballpark. Bowling Green began the scoring in the bottom of
Bush Jr. Tags Homer, Hot Rods Hang On 6-2
Bowling Green, Kentucky - Homer Bush Jr. homered and drove in two runs in a 6-2 win for the Bowling Green Hot Rods (38-18, 74-48) over the Greenville Drive (33-26, 59-66) on Saturday from Bowling Green Ballpark. Tatem Levins blasted a solo shot in the bottom of the fourth against
Baumeister Fans 11 and Levins Launches Homer in 7-0 Win
Bowling Green, Kentucky – Jackson Baumeister struck out a career-high 11 batters and Tatem Levins hammered a three-run homer, helping the Bowling Green Hot Rods (37-18, 73-48) beat the Greenville Drive (33-25, 59-65) 7-0 on Friday from Bowling Green Ballpark. The Hot Rods scored three runs in the bottom of
Bootleggers Plate Five in the Sixth, Down the Drive 6-4
Bowling Green, Kentucky – Mac Horvath led off a five run sixth inning with a home run, leading the Bowling Green Bootleggers (36-18, 72-48) to a 6-4 victory over the Greenville Drive (34-23, 59-64) on Thursday from Bowling Green Ballpark. Greenville took the lead against Bowling Green starter Chandler Murphy
Hot Rods Break Stolen Base Record in 2-0 Shutout Win Over Drive
Bowling Green, Kentucky – Brock Jones swiped the Bowling Green Hot Rods (35-18, 71-48) 250th stolen base of the year in the seventh inning, breaking the team’s franchise record for steals and leading them to a 2-0 win over the Greenville Drive (33-23, 59-63) on Wednesday from Bowling Green Ballpark.
Horvath Homers Again, Bowling Green Topples Greenville 9-4
Bowling Green, Kentucky – For the second game in a row, Mac Horvath smacked a home run, helping the Bowling Green Hot Rods (34-18, 70-48) beat the Greenville Drive (33-22, 59-62) 9-4 on Tuesday from Bowling Green Ballpark. After Greenville scored a run against Bowling Green starter Brody Hopkins in
Wild Strikes Out Nine in Hot Rods 5-4 Loss
Hickory, North Carolina – Owen Wild tossed his sixth quality start of the season, but the Bowling Green Hot Rods (33-18, 69-48) let up a late lead to the Hickory Crawdads (28-26, 55-65) in a 5-4 loss on Sunday from L.P. Frans Stadium. The Hot Rods scored three runs in
Barrios Collects Four Hits, Hot Rods Shutout Crawdads 5-0
Hickory, North Carolina – Gregory Barrios earned his third four-hit game of the season, leading the Bowling Green Hot Rods (33-17, 69-47) to a 5-0 shutout win over the Hickory Crawdads (27-26, 55-64) on Saturday from L.P. Frans Stadium. Bowling Green began the scoring in the top of the third
Turner Comes Up Clutch, Hot Rods Complete Comeback 4-3
Hickory, North Carolina – Gionti Turner brought in two runs with a triple in the bottom of the ninth, completing a 4-3 comeback victory for the Bowling Green Hot Rods (32-17, 68-47) over the Hickory (27-25, 55-63) Crawdads on Friday from L.P. Frans Stadium. Bowling Green scored first in the
Bowling Green Bats Silenced in 5-0 Loss to Hickory
Hickory, North Carolina – The Bowling Green Hot Rods (31-17, 67-47) were held to three hits in a 5-0 loss to the Hickory Crawdads (27-24, 55-62), despite eight strikeouts from Ty Johnson on Thursday from L.P. Frans Stadium. Hickory took a lead in the bottom of the second against Johnson.
Ledbetter Goes Yard, Bowling Green Falls 8-4 in Hickory
Hickory, North Carolina – Colton Ledbetter clobbered his 15th homer of the season, but the Bowling Green Hot Rods (31-16, 67-46) fell to the Hickory Crawdads (26-24, 54-62) 8-4 on Wednesday from L.P. Frans Stadium The Crawdads scored three runs in the bottom of the third against Hot Rods starter
Harney Dices Out of the Bullpen, Hot Rods Win 3-1
Hickory, North Carolina – Sean Harney tossed 3.2 scoreless frames out of the bullpen, helping push the Bowling Green Hot Rods (31-15, 67-45) to a 3-1 victory over the Hickory Crawdads (25-24, 53-61) on Tuesday at L.P. Frans Stadium in Hickory, North Carolina. The Crawdads plated the first run of