Catcher Carter Jensen and pitcher Noah Cameron join manager Matt Quatraro at Kansas City's First Year Players Orientation ahead of 2026
The Kansas City Royals sent a clear message to their up-and-coming prospects this week when Carter Jensen, Noah Cameron, and manager Matt Quatraro made an appearance at the team's First Year Players Orientation.
The event, held annually to prepare young players for professional baseball life, took on extra weight this year with the presence of two players who recently made the jump themselves and a manager who has guided the franchise back to relevance.
What the Orientation Means for Kansas City#
The First Year Players Orientation is a program that helps newly signed players adjust to the demands of professional baseball.
Topics range from handling media responsibilities and managing finances to proper nutrition and wellness, giving players tools to succeed both on and off the field.
Having Jensen and Cameron speak to the group carries real meaning since both players made their MLB debuts in 2025 and know firsthand what the prospects are about to experience.
Jensen made a major splash in his September call-up, slashing .300/.391/.500 with three home runs and 13 RBI over just 60 at-bats, and he is now considered one of the top catching prospects in baseball heading into the new season.
The 22-year-old Kansas City native finished with a 159 wRC+ during his cup of coffee and is expected to compete for a larger role behind the plate in 2026.
Cameron also had a standout rookie year, going 9-7 with a 2.99 ERA and 114 strikeouts across 138.1 innings for the Royals.
The left-hander finished fourth in American League Rookie of the Year voting and showed he belongs in the rotation with 10 quality starts during his first full season in the big leagues.
Looking Ahead to 2026#
The Royals finished 82-80 in 2025, falling short of the playoffs after making a Wild Card run the year before, but the organization believes the pieces are in place for another push.
Quatraro was rewarded with a contract extension through 2029 after guiding Kansas City to back-to-back winning seasons for the first time in over a decade.
Several prospects could factor into the 2026 plans, including right-hander Ben Kudrna, who is already on the 40-man roster, and outfielder Carson Roccaforte, who stole 43 bases in the minors last season.
The Royals also have pitching depth with Luinder Avila and Steven Zobac knocking on the door.
With Jensen and Cameron showing the way and Quatraro delivering his message of accountability, Kansas City's next wave of talent has a clear path to follow.