Under the Radar Prospects: Kansas City Royals

The Kansas City Royals are the subject of this week's installment of under the radar prospects

The Kansas City Royals are the subject of this week’s Under the Radar Prospects. The five featured players all could plausibly join the Royals big league roster by the end of next season. The list consists of a talented outfielder currently fighting for a spot on the Opening Day roster, a budding catching prospect that is already in Double-A, an undrafted free agent making offensive waves in the lower levels, and two starting pitchers that have enjoyed successful careers thus far.

Tyler Gentry, OF - Kansas City Royals

25-year old Tyler Gentry is in spring camp with the Royals as a member of their 40-man roster, having been added this past November. The outfielder is competing for a spot on the Major League roster and is coming off an excellent full season in Triple-A. Originally selected by Kansas City in the 3rd round of the 2020 draft out of Alabama, Gentry has posted phenomenal results in High-A and Double-A. Gentry received a promotion to Triple-A for the 2023 season and while his output wasn't earth shattering, he still provided above average offensive production and was solid defensively. Thus far in his professional career, Gentry is hitting .282/.394/.473 with 43 HR and 28 stolen bases over 281 games played between the three uppermost minor league levels, registering a 127 wRC+. He’s posted a respectable 13.7 BB% and 23.1 K%. Gentry has a very passive approach at the plate, swinging at only 38% of the pitches he saw last season in Triple-A. He’s also posted fairly average power numbers and contact ability — a 103mph 90th exit velo and 25% whiff rate. There are certainly some interesting underlying skills, but he’ll need to refine his approach this season if he’s going to have the ability to provide value at the major league level.

Carter Jensen, C - Kansas City Royals

Despite being just 20-years old, Carter Jensen will likely start the 2024 season as a starting catcher in Double-A. Selected by Kansas City in the 3rd round of the 2021 draft, Jensen has mashed his way through lower levels of the Royals system. Although he’ll never be the type of hitter to post high batting averages, Jensen knows how to get on base and possesses plus raw power.