Kansas City Royals' Carter Jensen Comes Up Short for MLB Award

Carter Jensen's first full season in the big leagues ended over a month ago but he is still earning recognition for his strong rookie year with the Kansas City Royals. Jensen earned a fifth-place finish in American League Rookie of the Year voting, coming up short of winning the award. Still, 2026 was a clear indication that Kansas City has their catcher of the future.

Detroit Tigers shortstop Kevin McGonigle won the award with 204 points and 28 of 30 first-place votes. Cleveland Guardians pitcher Parker Messick finished second with 122 points,

Boston Red Sox left-hander Payton Tolle placed third with 54, and Munetaka Murakami of the Chicago White Sox finished fourth with 39. Jensen collected four third-place votes, nine fourth-place votes and one fifth-place vote for 31 total points and a fifth-place finish.

The 23-year-old appeared in 149 games and hit .239 with 27 home runs, 81 RBI, 35 doubles and a .790 OPS. He split time between catcher and designated hitter. He also ended up posting an .848 OPS at the top of the order after the All-Star break.

His 64 extra-base hits set a franchise record for a rookie, and his 18 leadoff home runs set the Royals' single-season record.

Jensen grew up about 25 miles from Kauffman Stadium and went to Park Hill High School before the Royals drafted him in the third round in 2021. He committed to LSU out of high school and hit .387 as a senior. After signing, he had elbow surgery to remove bone spurs, worked his way through the minor leagues and arrived in Kansas City as the organization's No. 2 prospect. 

He closed September with eight home runs and a 1.194 OPS, earning AL Rookie of the Month. 

McGonigle's campaign was hard to match. The 22-year-old hit .278 with 18 home runs, 72 RBI and an .806 OPS in 156 games, leading the AL with 707 plate appearances and scoring 97 runs with 95 walks. He was the best player on the club.

The Royals finished 69-93 and last in the AL Central. The only positive from their disappointing season is that Kansas City has their young core in place.

The team also has Jac Caglianone and Bobby Witt Jr. locked in for the future. Maikel Garcia and Vinnie Pasquantino are both under contract and capable of bouncing back in 2027. The Royals can turn it around if they add pitching this offseason.