Friday, July 04

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It was only a few weeks ago that this newsletter space was dedicated to how Carter Jensen had shaken off a tough start in Double-A and had started to get on a roll there. We detailed his mindset and mechanical shift that had led to positive results over the past several weeks.

A couple of big things have happened since then, so we had to revisit the Royals’ No. 3 prospect – who now also clocks in as MLB’s No. 73 prospect in Pipeline’s most recent Top 100 re-rank.

First, Jensen was promoted to Triple-A Omaha after showing he was ready to move on from Northwest Arkansas with a .292/.360/.420 slash line in 68 games. That’s a significant jump for the 22-year-old, only a level away from the big leagues. The Royals might not be envisioning Jensen in Kansas City this year, but by 2026, we could be talking about his readiness as crucial catching depth.

Then, earlier this week, it was announced that Jensen would be representing the Royals in the 2025 All-Star Futures Game. He’ll join No. 11 prospect Frank Mozzicato on the American League squad in Atlanta on July 12. Mozzicato has a 4.29 ERA between High-A and Double-A this year. He dominated in Quad Cities with a 1.24 ERA in seven starts to begin the year; now he’s tasked with making adjustments in Northwest Arkansas, where he’s allowed 25 runs in 26 2/3 innings.

Jensen actually found out about the two big milestones in reverse order of their publicity, first being called into Northwest Arkansas manager Brooks Conrad’s office one day when Jensen showed up early for a workout.

A million things go through a player’s mind when he's called into the manager’s office -- what he's done well recently, what he's done wrong, what could possibly be going on that required a one-on-one conversation. Jensen thought of everything it could be as he walked from the weight room to the office.

But the Futures Game was not on his radar.

"I couldn’t stop smiling when he told me,” Jensen said. “This is something I’ve wanted to do since I got drafted. I’ve watched it every year I can remember. It’s definitely an honor and a blessing, so I’m super excited for it.”

Jensen had to keep it a secret until this week when rosters were revealed. Between then and now, he had another conversation with Conrad. After the Naturals’ game on June 22, Conrad pulled Jensen aside to tell the catcher he was headed up to Triple-A Omaha.

"I wasn’t expecting this one, either,” Jensen said. “I had maybe heard some rumblings, like, ‘Carter might be ready,’ and stuff like that. But I try to keep that stuff out of my mind because I don’t want it to alter how I’m playing. But it’s hard not to let it slip in your mind when he pulls you aside. That was a fun one, too.”

Jensen drove up to Kansas City -- his hometown -- the next day to fly out of the airport and meet the team in Indianapolis.

“It still hasn’t really sank in fully, just the thought of being so close to the big leagues,” Jensen said. “Being so close to where I’ve always dreamt of being, so it’s definitely a cool experience. At the end of the day, I’m grateful for the organization for believing in me and knowing that I’m ready for this next step.”

Jensen recorded one hit in his first series as a Triple-A player -- a home run off a position player a week ago -- and had to make some adjustments after he realized that he might get attacked differently at a higher level than in Double-A.

In two games this week, Jensen has four hits -- and three of them have been home runs.

“Last week, I definitely put some pressure on myself,” Jensen said. “And I realized that. I need to be able to not put pressure on myself to do so well, or to rush myself to the big leagues. I need to be where my feet are. Going into this week, I’m feeling really good and just want to play free and play how I know I want to play.”

The Royals’ third-round pick in the 2021 Draft out of Park Hill High School just outside of Kansas City, Jensen only turned 22 on Thursday. He’ll use the second half of 2025 to get settled in at Triple-A. But attending the Futures Game is a big part of his development.

He’s ready to take it all in.

“I’m probably going to end up talking to as many people as I can,” Jensen said. “Especially in the Futures Game, because it’s going to be people I’m playing against for a long time. So I’m excited to get to know everybody and create connections there.”

With the graduation of lefty Noah Cameron from the Royals’ prospect rankings -- he reached the 45-inning threshold that booted him off the list -- outfielder Gavin Cross has moved into the Royals’ top five at No. 5. 

The No. 9 overall pick in 2022, Cross hasn’t had the most consistent career. Even after strong Spring Training, Cross has struggled in Double-A this season, with a .581 OPS.

Cross was on the 7-day IL last week because of lower back discomfort, an injury that he’s had to deal with in the past. But he returned this past Sunday, hit a home run, and then went 4-for-5 on Tuesday when the Naturals opened their series in Springfield.

Speaking of the Top 30 list, with Cameron’s graduation, right-hander Yunior Marte has slid onto the list, checking in at No. 19 (a little higher than typical of a player coming onto the list at this point because of his starting capability). Marte is 6-foot-5 and a big presence on the mound.

In 15 starts with Single-A Columbia this year, the 21-year-old -- whom the Royals signed in 2022 -- has a 2.51 ERA, with 67 strikeouts and 20 walks in 68 innings.

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