The more things change, the more they stay the same for Park Hill High School alum Carter Jensen in his professional career as he begins life as a Major League Baseball player for the Kansas City Royals.
The 22-year-old Kansas City native and lifelong Royals fan is now playing out his childhood dream. After a standout 10-week stint in Triple-A Omaha, Jensen was called up to join the Royals as the team’s roster expanded from 26 players to 28 for a playoff push.
“Still playing the same game as I was in Triple-A,” Jensen said. “The only changes really are the location and who I’m playing with, so that’s what I’m trying to keep in my head; keep playing my game and the game that I know.”
Jensen has moved back into his parents’ house after getting the ultimate call-up to the Royals, which came on Aug. 31 after Omaha’s game was canceled. He arrived home that same evening, but with the team having Labor Day off, the anticipation continued to build for him, his family, and friends.
“It’s something you’ve been waiting for for so long,” said Jim Jensen, Carter’s father. “To have it happen and come into fruition. We’ve been overwhelmed with emotion.”
After getting a dugout view of his first game as a Royal on Sept. 2 against the Los Angeles Angels, Jensen got called into action as he pinch-hit for Randal Grichuk with two outs in the bottom of the ninth inning against a future Hall of Fame pitcher in Kenley Jansen. As the Royals’ new No. 22 stepped towards the plate with the team trailing 5-1, the 13,685 fans in attendance erupted in applause to recognize Jensen’s debut for his hometown ballclub.
“Everybody just started screaming and they got up out of their seats,” said Kim Jensen, Carter’s mother. “You’re like, ‘they’re doing that for my kid.’ That was really cool.”
Kansas City Royals rookie catcher Carter Jensen, a 2021 graduate of Park Hill High School, in his debut for his hometown ballclub on Sept. 2.
Already against the odds, the Angels gave Jensen more time for the nerves to set in during a mound visit. Jensen missed on the first pitch he saw and took his second strike before taking a couple of balls to even the count at 2-2, then struck out on a cutter thrown at 94 miles per hour.
“I really just kind of tried to soak it in,” Jensen said of his debut. “The fans were cheering and my family was up there supporting me and all that, so I tried to soak it all in and get locked in for the at-bat.”
The Jensen jersey has been among the marquee jerseys on sale in the Royals merchandise stores, something that surprised the Jensen family so quickly after being called up.
Jensen was unused in his second game as a big leaguer, but got his name in the starting lineup for the first time as a designated hitter batting eighth on Sept. 4 against the Angels. Jensen went 0 for 2, but got on base for the first time after working a seven-pitch walk in the fifth inning.
“I would imagine he’s been really excited,” Royals manager Matt Quatraro said. “I don’t want to speak for him, but to come home and stay at your parents’ house and driving to a big-league ballpark, that’s got to be a pretty unique experience.”
Since moving back home, Jensen has experienced some familiar yet unique feelings as he navigates life as a major league player. He may be the only current MLB player who’s living in his childhood home.
“It feels a little bit weird,” Jensen said. “It feels like the exact same as when I left the house to go to a high school baseball practice or a high school baseball game, but now I’m coming to Kauffman Stadium, so it’s pretty cool.”
Jensen’s path to the majors was a long time in the making. He began playing T-ball at the age of 4, became a Royals fan in early childhood and eventually transitioned into competitive baseball at a young age.
Jensen grew more ambitious over time and eventually tried out for the Royals Scout Team Program, which aims to identify and develop local professional talent. He was initially declined, but later made the team and showcased his skills in front of high-level scouts.
After originally committing to play college baseball at the University of Missouri, he decommitted to take an offer from Louisiana State University. However, professional baseball became an attainable goal immediately after high school, from which he was drafted in the third round by the Royals in 2021.
He rose through the ranks of the Royals’ minor league system, making it to Double-A Northwest Arkansas in 2024. He had hopes for a big 2025, but a slow start to the year cast some doubt.
He eventually answered the doubt with an explosive turnaround, earning a call-up to Triple-A Omaha in June. After being named to the 2025 MLB Futures Game, Jensen continued his progression, setting career highs in every major batting statistic, including average, home runs, hits, runs batted in and on-base percentage.
After many sleepless nights, Jensen has been given an opportunity to contribute as the Royals chase a playoff spot. His focus will be on helping the team win in any way possible.
“From my understanding, he’s come a long way in maturity-wise; understanding who he is as a player,” Quatraro said before sending Jensen out to be the Royals’ designated hitter for the first time. “He’s always been well thought of as a hitter, so he’s in there to hit.”
The September call-up of Jensen is one that seemed inevitable. After having another dazzling two-week spell in Omaha to end August, it was only a matter of time before he was to get called home to Kansas City.
Jensen got his first hit on Sept. 6 in the fourth inning against the Minnesota Twins, pulling a slider down the right-field line to drive in Jac Caglianone. With the Royals jumping out to such a large lead, Jensen moved in to get his first opportunity catching as he closed out the final two innings of an 11-2 victory.
Jensen’s father has confidence he will find sustainable success at the major league level.
“We’ve been watching him do the same thing at every level,” Jim Jensen said. “It’s not a huge surprise to see him out there, but at the same time, to sit back and think about it, you’re like, ‘Whoa, he’s in the major leagues. There is nowhere else to go; this is it.’”
Jensen was 1 of 8 at the plate with four walks and two RBIs prior to Sept. 9. The Royals sit three games back of the final American League Wild Card spot with 18 games remaining.
“This is my dream, this is where I want to be,” Jensen said. “Being able to reach this goal, it’s been a lot of hard work and dedication. Now that I’m here, I know the real work starts now. We have games to win, so I’m just going to try to contribute to that.”