KANSAS CITY, Mo. (KCTV) - Four short years ago, Carter Jensen was playing baseball at Park Hill High School. Now, Jensen is in his second big-league camp with the Royals.

Jensen is wasting no time making a name for himself this spring in Surprise, Arizona. On Sunday, Jensen hit a home run against the Los Angeles Dodgers. If you talk to Jensen’s high school coach, Jensen has been smashing baseballs for a very long time.

“His sophomore year, we could kind of tell that it was a little different. The ball just sounds a little bit different coming off his bat,” said Park Hill head baseball coach, Jon Davis.

Jensen is a Kansas City kid and grew up idolizing the Royals. Now, he gets to play professional baseball alongside some of his childhood heroes.

“Salvy was always his favorite player,” Davis said. “What I’ve heard about Salvador Perez is he’s gracious with teaching the younger guys coming up. I know Carter is taking in every word he says and putting it to use.”

About 10-15 pro scouts would show up at each of Jensen’s games his senior season at Park Hill. The Royals drafted him in the 3rd round – 78th overall – in the 2021 MLB Draft.

“He was always a kid that wanted to work at his craft, whether it be hitting every day or working on catching,” Davis said. “He’s just one of those kids; he just didn’t stop. That’s all he did was baseball – lived and breathed it.”

Jensen is projected to start the year in AA Northwest Arkansas, but the big leagues could soon be in his future. He’s currently the 86th-ranked prospect in MLB.com’s Top 100 prospect rankings.

Those at Park Hill think the world of their former star.

“He is producing quite a bit of excitement around here,” Davis said. “I get questions all the time about how he is doing and we’re really proud of him. Can’t wait to see where it takes him.”