Two Royals top prospects already shining in spring training: ‘The physicality is insane’
Kansas City Royals prospect Carter Jensen headed into the clubhouse after his spring training start against the Chicago White Sox.
His day was done.
Jensen, who caught Royals starter Kris Bubic on Sunday, had quite the afternoon. He went 1-for-2 and hit a solo home run in the Royals’ 4-3 win at Surprise Stadium.
The Royals had the live game feed playing in the clubhouse. As Jensen took a few moments to rest, his eyes couldn’t leave the screen. That’s because his good friend, fellow top prospect Jac Caglianone, had just hit his first Cactus League homer.
“We talk every day about approaches and stuff like that,” Jensen said. “It’s nice to have somebody where we can bounce ideas off of and build each other up if we are not feeling good and keep each other up if we are feeling that way. Having him here has been awesome.”
Caglianone hit a 435-foot homer over the center-field wall. It was a screaming shot that registered a 115.4 mph exit velocity.
The homer ignited a three-run eighth inning. Caglianone reached down and hit a 93 mph sinker that landed midway up the outfield berm.
“I feel like we homered on the same days a lot in the (Arizona) Fall League,” Caglianone said. “When he went yard, I was like, ‘All right, I’ve got to do it now.’”
The Royals are excited about both players. Caglianone and Jensen rank No. 1 and No. 3 respectively among the club’s top 30 prospects. They also appear in MLB.com’s top 100 prospects ranking.
Earlier in camp, Jensen went and picked Caglianone up from the airport. They were slated to be roommates before a late switch. However, Jensen is adamant they will room together for several years going forward.
“It’s kind of an inseparable bond that I’m definitely happy that we have,” Jensen said.
That close bond is playing out on the field.
Caglianone is experiencing his first big-league camp. Last summer, he was selected sixth overall in the 2024 MLB Draft. The Royals valued his two-way ability during the draft process, but now Caglianone will focus on being just a hitter.
This spring, Caglianone has adjusted well. He is focusing on navigating the strike zone and slowing down his approach. The Royals want him to be selective and do damage against pitches left over the plate.
“You know, these guys are really good,” Caglianone said of opposing pitchers. “You’ve got to give them their flowers. They are here for a reason. So going in knowing that their mistake pitches or waste pitches, that’s on purpose. It’s kind of buying into just staying in the one zone and sticking with it in the AB.”
Jensen has drawn praise, too. He is back in Royals camp after a standout campaign last season. The club continues to be impressed with his leadership behind the plate and willingness to learn.
“That’s a good homer,” Royals captain Salvador Perez said. “Wow, he is a strong guy. He looked good today.”
Royals manager Matt Quatraro agreed. He is excited to see Jensen progress during the 2025 minor-league campaign. The Royals will feature Jensen and fellow catcher Blake Mitchell in their farm system.
“That was a good swing he put on that ball,” Quatraro said. “He squared that up nicely. He’s handled himself really well behind the plate.”
Fans can expect to see more of both players this spring. The duo continues to grow and Jensen is readily available to help Caglianone as needed.
“The physicality is insane,” Jensen said of Caglianone. “I mean, he is probably one of the biggest people that I know. He is jacked, but I think the mindset is super advanced, especially for him going into his first year. … You know, I can help him out if I need to and share with him my experiences. But, you know, the way he handles himself is like a big leaguer. So it’s impressive.”
For now, both players are giving the Royals a glimpse of what’s to come.
“He is really young and has a bright future,” Royals starter Kris Bubic said of Jensen. “I’m excited to see how he progresses.”
This story was originally published February 23, 2025 at 6:17 PM.
