Royals prospect from KC wowed observers with Futures Game batting-practice homer
Hall of Famer Fred McGriff was known for his power during his 19 seasons in the majors as he clubbed 493 home runs with a .509 slugging percentage.
McGriff spent five seasons with Atlanta, the site of this week’s All-Star Game. That’s one reason why McGriff was picked as the American League team’s hitting coach in Saturday’s Futures Game.
The Royals had two prospects play in the game: Double-A pitcher Frank Mozzicato and Triple-A catcher Carter Jensen. When the latter walked out for batting practice on Saturday, McGriff had a question for Jensen, as Anne Rogers of Royals.com noted.
“You have any pop?” McGriff asked.
Jensen replied: “I got pop.”
McGriff said: “Let me see.”
Mission accomplished as Jensen impressed everyone who watched him take batting practice.
JJ Cooper, the editor-in-chief of Baseball America, said Jensen hit the most home runs of any player during batting practice.
“Royals catcher Carter Jensen was the star of BP,” Cooper wrote on X. “Consistent easy power.”
Fox Sports’ Ben Verlander shared a photo of where one of Jensen’s home runs landed at Truist Park. Jensen hit one a loooong way at the Braves’ stadium.
Adam Leighton of Just Baseball Media also took note of where that ball landed during batting practice.
In 13 games since being promoted to Triple-A Omaha, Jensen has six home runs, four doubles and 17 RBIs.
This story was originally published July 14, 2025 at 12:04 PM.
