3 KC Royals Top-30 prospects with perfect starts to the 2024 season

Nearly every minor-league-centric website or publication has rightly panned the KC Royals farm system in recent years. The overall system is undergoing an identity change after some subpar draft classes, as well as front office and coaching changes throughout the organization. MLB.com's preseason pipeline rankings place Kansas City at 28th among 30 teams, a meager improvement from 29th place the year before.

There are signs of life in the minor leagues, but Alec Marsh's injury has proven how shallow the organizational depth is. There is no instant solution to the problem after investing countless hours and resources into the hundreds of minor-league players in the Royals organization. Systemic changes do not happen overnight in any facet of life, and baseball is not different.

KC Royals fans need to keep tabs on this farm system.

Even if the overall farm system outlook continued to look bleak this offseason, the team-level results look strong one month in. Only the Double-A Northwest Arkansas Naturals have a losing record, and the Triple-A Omaha Storm Chasers currently lead the International League West Division with a 19-11 record. The standings and records are certain to change, but it is a strong start across the organization.

A winning farm system does not directly translate to a winning big-league roster, however. The Royals still need their high-ceiling players to develop into MLB talents, rather than win in the minors and fizzle out from there. MLB.com's top-30 prospect list for each team offers fans a quick glimpse into who could make up any team's future. The Royals list features several organizational newcomers, including six 2023 draftees. 

Fellow co-site expert Mike Gillespie already covered the system's top five prospects, most of which are off to strong starts this year. This top-30 list is pretty diverse, featuring players from all levels of the Royals farm system. Knowing this, let's look at three of the featured ballers and examine their hot starts to 2024.

22. Hunter Owen

Kansas City drafted Hunter Owen, a right-handed pitcher from Vanderbilt University, in the fourth round of this past draft. Owen had first-round stuff and collegiate performance, but health and durability concerns impacted his draft stock. His loss could be the Royals' gain, though, and he is outperforming his competition with the High-A Quad Cities River Bandits.

Owen has an imposing mound presence, standing 6 feet 6 inches. The righty hasn't allowed more than two earned runs in any of his four starts, currently sporting a 1.96 ERA and 1.04 WHIP. Owen capped off his April with a one-hit, six-inning shutout win over the Beloit Sky Carp, striking out six in the process. His 3.83 K/BB ratio is exactly what the River Bandits staff needs, while he has only allowed one home run this season.

Owen sports a strong four-pitch mix, headlined by his slider. His low walk amount this season backs up his control, which had been a concern during his collegiate career.

Owen did not pitch following the 2023 MLB draft due to an undisclosed injury. The righty should not last long in High-A, clearly overmatching his opposition so far this season. Double-A will be Owen's true benchmark, putting his pitching arsenal to the test.

10. Carter Jensen

In the third round of the 2021 MLB Draft, the Royals selected catcher Carter Jensen from Park Hill Senior High in Park Hill, Missouri, bringing Jensen to his hometown organization. Ever since joining affiliated baseball, Jensen has done nothing but show a solid plate approach and get on base. He will continue to do so in 2024, but now he is hitting with more power for the River Bandits.

Jensen is posting a .326/.472/.495 slash line through 27 games, good for a .967 OPS and a career-high 173 wRC+. The lefty is lighting it up in Quad Cities, walking more than he is striking out with nine extra-base hits in 27 games. Jensen still has an effortless swing, and that, coupled with his plate approach, is fueling his strong 2024 start.

Jensen has only gotten better at the plate, but his improvements behind it have been a welcome surprise. He is athletic enough to change positions, but his framing looks good for his level. Plus, MLB.com says "Jensen has an above-average arm, his agility was much improved last year and he manages a staff well." That only helps the Royals organization believe the 20-year-old can stay at catcher for the long term.

Like Owen, Jensen obviously deserves a promotion to Northwest Arkansas sooner rather than later. Jensen has usually taken a sizeable amount of time adjusting to the next level, but Double-A will really test his plate approach for the first time. Plus, Kansas City needs to see how his arm plays with even more polished speedsters on the basepaths. For now, Jensen remains the best catching prospect in the Royals system.

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