Royals Data Dugout ponders on the early days of Carter Jensen’s time in a Kansas City Royals uniform.
Jensen may offer an in-house solution for one of the first four items to check off the list. He possesses the patience and approach to fit a new era-style leadoff role. The young lefty could, alternately, drop to the bottom third of the lineup as a mashing power threat. He’ll also own the responsibility of relieving Perez behind the dish, a duty that’s required (or at least should be) more often than
ever before in 2026.
Through 46 plate appearances — this is your SMALL SAMPLE SIZE WARNING so I don’t have to repeat it in each section — Jensen is already flashing the traits of a long-term solution in the Big Leagues. He’s slashing .300/.391/.575 in 14 games, including a pair of homers and quintet of doubles, scoring seven runs while driving in 11. With a 6:8 BB:K ratio, he’s clearly not overwhelmed by MLB pitching.
Kings of Kauffman’s Oliver Vandervoort singles out Maikel Garcia’s struggles at the plate as Royals face a losing September.
Slashing .188/.273/.261/.534 since September 1, he’s also only got one home run. When the period kicked off, he was going to pass 20 home runs easily. Instead, he’s been stuck just under that number for what looks like the rest of the season, barring a crazy hot streak.
When you compare the fact that his fellow teammates in the heart of the order in Bobby Witt Jr. (127 wRC+), Vinnie Pasquantino (159 wRC+) and Salvador Perez (119 wRC+) have all kept up appearances this month, it only works to single out Garcia’s poor performance even further.
Just Baseball’s Caleb Moody says Royals starter Noah Cameron still doesn’t get the rookie respect he deserves.
Now, as touched upon in the Rookie of the Year conversation, this isn’t a plea for Cameron to walk away with the award, as Tarik Skubal or Garrett Crochet seem like the worthy recipients. This is just meant to highlight that Cameron is in the midst of a special season that needs more appreciation across Major League Baseball.
The Royals may not have thought Cameron would be a key part of this team’s long-term future when the season started, but now there’s reason to believe that he can be a fixture in this rotation for years to come.
Friars on Base’s Tremayne Person deems the Freddy Fermin-to-San Diego trade a win-win after the catcher clinches a playoff berth with a walk-off hit.
Since arriving in San Diego, he’s slashed .277/.308/.384 with two home runs and 14 RBIs over 37 games, good for a 1.2 WAR. A level of production exceeds what the Padres had been getting.
Both clubs got what they needed, making this one of the rare trades that really does feel like a win-win. But in San Diego, with Petco Park still buzzing from Monday night’s walk-off, there’s no question who feels like the biggest winner right now.
The Arkansas Democrat Gazette’s Paul Boyd wraps up the season for Double-A affiliate Northwest Arkansas Naturals.
Two Royals squads land in Yardbarker’s most unlikely World Series teams.
Former Royals pitcher Jeff Montgomery talks pitching with WNST.
Get a refresher on what the 20-80 grading scale means to Baseball America.
The Toronto Blue Jays activates outfielder Anthony Santander from the 60-day IL, and DFA former All-Star pitcher Alek Manoah.
The Texas Rangers shut down infielders Corey Seager and Marcus Semien for the season after falling out of playoff contention.
The Chicago White Sox put old friend Andrew Benintendi on the injured list.
Cleveland Guardians DH David Fry took a Tarik Skubal fastball to the face during a bunt attempt Tuesday night. He did get up under his own power and was carted off the field.
Molly Knight heads up the Detroit Tigers Support Group while club tumbles out of AL Central lead.
The Los Angeles Dodgers break the four-million-fan barrier, standing out as baseball’s premiere destination.
After MLB announces ABS is coming to the big leagues, the system could be in the collegiate ranks before too long.
Get all the information you need on the 2025 Bowman Chrome release.
Oklahoma State fires football coach Mike Gundy after an unceremonious start to 2025.
United State sprinter Fred Kerley joins Enhanced Games roster, a no-drug-testing format for track, swimming, and weightlifting.
Well, I have a new hyperfixation, as scientists discovered a new dinosaur in Argentina.
Today’s song of the day is Cherry Wine by Hozier.
