Royals Prospect Catcher Poised for Breakout Season

Carter Jensen expected to see increased playing time behind the plate and at DH

Mar. 21, 2026 at 9:10pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

The Kansas City Royals have several young stars like Vinnie Pasquantino, Bobby Witt Jr., and Maikel Garcia, but one player who could be primed for a breakout season is backup catcher and top prospect Carter Jensen. Jensen impressed in a late-season call-up last year, showcasing impressive power numbers, and is expected to split time behind the plate and at DH with veteran Salvador Perez.

Why it matters

The Royals are looking to build on their recent success and make a push for the playoffs. Jensen's potential breakout could provide a major boost to their lineup and catching depth, especially as they look to manage the 36-year-old Perez's playing time.

The details

Jensen, who grew up in Kansas City, received a late-season call-up in 2025 and made the most of his opportunity, posting a .941 OPS in 69 plate appearances. His barrel rate during that stretch was the highest in MLB, even surpassing stars like Aaron Judge, Shohei Ohtani, and Pete Alonso. While his sample size was small, the Royals are confident in his ability and expect him to see significant playing time this season, likely splitting time behind the plate and at DH with Perez.

  • Jensen received a late-season call-up in 2025.
  • Jensen is expected to see increased playing time in the 2026 season.

The players

Carter Jensen

A top catching prospect in the Royals' system who impressed in his late-season debut in 2025 and is poised for a breakout 2026 campaign.

Salvador Perez

The veteran Royals catcher who is expected to see more time at first base and DH, allowing Jensen to share playing time behind the plate.

Vinnie Pasquantino

A Royals star who may be best suited to avoiding tough left-handed pitchers, potentially opening up more DH opportunities for Jensen.

Bobby Witt Jr.

Another young Royals star who stood out in the World Baseball Classic, helping bring attention to the team's promising future.

Maikel Garcia

A Royals prospect who also impressed in the World Baseball Classic, further showcasing the team's depth of young talent.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“The biggest roadblock for any Royals catching prospect is the presence of Salvador Perez, but at 36, Perez is spending more time at first base and DH, particularly as it seems Vinnie Pasquantino may be best suited to avoiding tough lefties.”

— Mike Petriello, MLB.com writer

“Jensen surely isn't under-the-radar to Royals fans – he did win the organizational hitter of the year award last year, and he grew up in Kansas City to boot – but the greater baseball public might not quite be aware of him, yet.”

— Mike Petriello, MLB.com writer

“No, not because he had a .941 OPS in 69 late-season plate appearances, though that certainly helps. It's because of how he got to that number, which is to say 'he absolutely pulverized the baseball.' Among players who had at least 50 plate appearances, Jensen's barrel rate was the highest in the sport, where Judge, Ohtani, and Pete Alonso were next.”

— Mike Petriello, MLB.com writer

What’s next

The Royals will look to continue developing Jensen and integrate him into the lineup more in the 2026 season, potentially splitting time with the veteran Perez behind the plate and at DH.

The takeaway

The Royals have a deep pool of young talent, and Carter Jensen's potential breakout could provide a major boost to their lineup and catching depth as they look to build on their recent success and make a push for the playoffs.