Jac Caglianone’s Dad to Pitch in Home Run Derby

Meet Jeff Caglianone, the Pitching Parent

Jac Caglianone, the rising Royals prospect, has earned a spot among eight stars at the 2026 Home Run Derby. The event will take place at Citizens Bank Park on Monday night, where he hopes to make history as possibly the youngest champion ever. Adding to the excitement, his father Jeff will handle the pitching duties, turning a personal dream into a public showcase.

Jeff Caglianone is an AV‑rated attorney and managing partner of Caglianone, Miller & Zeifert in Tampa, Florida. Before his legal career, he played college baseball at Stetson, a background that informs his coaching. For years he has thrown batting practice to Jac during the offseason, and he now coaches at H.B. Plant High School, a role praised by alumni such as Orioles slugger Pete Alonso. This long‑standing relationship gives Jac a familiar and comforting partner on the Derby stage.

Why Jac Chose His Father for the Derby

Jac described the moment as a childhood dream that has finally arrived. “Having my dad throw is a huge reason why I’m doing it in the first place,” he said, highlighting the sentimental pull. Past Derby winners such as Cal Raleigh in 2025 and Bryce Harper in 2018 also relied on their fathers to deliver the pitches. The shared experience, he added, will be “the most important thing I’ll get out of all this.”

Selecting a parent as a Derby pitcher has become a common trend, rooted in the personal bond forged through years of practice. The sentimental angle adds a family story that fans find compelling, turning the competition into a multigenerational showcase. For Jeff, stepping into the spotlight after years of behind‑the‑scenes work marks a new chapter, both as a coach and as a public figure at a major MLB event. The media buzz around the pairing underscores how father‑son collaborations resonate beyond the diamond.

As Jac prepares for the Derby, the focus remains on swing adjustments and timing under his father’s guidance. The anticipation is that the familiarity will help mitigate nerves, allowing the young slugger to concentrate on power. Whether the experience translates into a derby trophy remains to be seen, but the personal stakes already guarantee a memorable performance. Fans can expect to see a blend of raw talent and familial support when the Royals prospect steps to the plate.