Capitalizing on a Cup of Coffee

Among the Kansas City front office’s priorities for this offseason, lengthening the lineup is paramount.

The Royals have the rotation horses and depth to complement Cole Ragans and Seth Lugo. Their bullpen is stocked with power arms at the back end, but they could use retooling for the middle innings.

They employ the most well-rounded player in the American League at shortstop. Bobby Witt Jr. is surrounded by Vinnie Pasquantino, a burgeoning slugger who finally enjoyed a full, healthy season; Maikel Garcia, whose 2025 breakout lifted this offense from laughably incompetent to nearly good enough to compete; and an aging yet dangerous Salvador Perez with a .282 xBA and .550 xSLG that far outweigh his .240 average and .456 slug.

Beyond those four? A crop of fourth outfielders, utilitymen and up-and-comers looking to make their mark, including Jac Caglianone and the subject of today’s breakdown, Carter Jensen.

Carter's Call

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September 2, 2025

On Friday night, we’ll witness what could be the final season opener of Travis Kelce’s storied Chiefs career. At 12,151 career receiving yards, he’s 28th all-time with a shot at cracking the top 20 if he can cap off his 13 professional seasons with an eighth campaign of 1,000+ yards.

First, a quick glance at JJ Picollo’s winter shopping list:

1. Leadoff hitter

2. Seventh hitter

3. Eighth hitter

4. Ninth hitter

5. Bullpen depth

Hey, being a GM/POBO seems pretty easy!

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.