Carter Jensen lived out his biggest dreams with the Kansas City Royals this season.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
And the spotlight wasn\u2019t too bright.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Jensen, 22, was granted a massive opportunity. The KCMO native \u2014 a former Park Hill High School standout \u2014 was one of two September call-ups<\/a> as the Royals\u2019 active roster expanded.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n In many ways, Jensen\u2019s arrival served a dual purpose: It gave him some major-league experience while also offering a tantalizing look toward the future.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The Royals knew what Jensen would bring to the table. He has a keen understanding of the strike zone and showed encouraging signs that, as a catcher, he could handle a pitching staff. He\u2019d been an offensive force<\/a>, too, with a .290 batting average, 20 home runs and 76 RBIs across two different levels of the minor leagues.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n That sort of production merited a spot on the big-league roster. However, Jensen knew his opportunity would come with a whole new set of challenges.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cYeah, it\u2019s been a crazy year, but you know, I\u2019m just grateful,\u201d he said after the Royals\u2019 regular-season finale against the Athletics. \u201cThat\u2019s probably the best word to describe everything. Grateful for every opportunity. Grateful for the front office believing in me and knowing that I can come here and succeed and help win games.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n One of the biggest challenges for Jensen was learning an entirely new pitching staff. At times he could be seen bouncing around the clubhouse, meeting his veteran teammates. He spent time communicating with starters and relievers in the bullpen.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The conversations were wide-ranging. Jensen wanted to know each pitcher on a personal level and learn about their pitching arsenals and tendencies.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Jensen would also discuss strategy with veteran catchers Salvador Perez and Luke Maile. And when he found some spare time, he\u2019d be in the batting cage, fine-tuning his swing while receiving a crash-course on that night\u2019s pitching matchup.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cYou know, the work is just starting,\u201d Jensen said. \u201cEverything is cool and all that, but you know, I think being out of the playoffs leaves a little sour taste in your mouth. I\u2019m getting that first-hand experience. So next year, I\u2019m gonna be ready to go and I\u2019m excited.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n By all accounts, Jensen looks the part of a promising big-leaguer. He posted a .300 batting average in his first 20 games with the Royals.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The Royals were impressed with multiple highlight efforts<\/a>. He hit three doubles \u2014 all from the leadoff spot \u2014 against the Toronto Blue Jays. He later belted a 482-foot home run against the Athletics, the Royals\u2019 longest homer<\/a> in the Statcast era.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI think our fans and our coaches, who weren\u2019t as familiar with him, got a chance to see what he is all about,\u201d Royals general manager J.J. Picollo said. \u201cIt\u2019s about good plate appearances, making good decisions on what pitches to swing at or not swing at and not trying to do too much.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cYou saw him hit the ball the other way a lot, which is a sign of a complete hitter. And when he did, he got good experience at the end of the year catching some of our guys. That\u2019s always a challenge for a young catcher.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n![\"Kansas](\"https:\/\/www.kansascity.com\/public\/latest-news\/bqd7uw\/picture312298624\/alternates\/FREE_1140\/USATSI_27195696.jpg\" "\\"USATSI_27195696.jpg\\"")