“He looks like he’s going to hit the ball hard every time up there.”
—Hall of Famer George Brett

“Some kids just want to make it to the big leagues. He wants to be a star. He has the goal to be a star.”
—Former big leaguer Jamie Quirk

“When he’s done with this game, he wants people to remember him.”
—Quirk

“The sky’s the limit for him. He’s got all the tools, no doubt about it.”
—Veteran third baseman Joe Randa

“Nothing seems to rattle him. He just stays relaxed and produces when he has to.”
—Veteran pitcher Blake Stein

“You don’t have to worry much with Beltran out there.”
—Former teammate Jeff Conine

“He’s made adjustments, and now he’s dangerous.”
—Veteran pitching coach Nardi Contreras

“He’s got to learn all the little things, such as hitting the cut-off man, running the bases, things that come with time.”
—Former Royals manager Tony Muser

“He’s learning that there are adjustments that have to be made, and that it’s all a part of the game.”
—Muser

“I’ve said this all along, Carlos is the most gifted baseball player I’ve ever seen.”
—Former teammate Johnny Damon

“Carlos Beltran is the type of player who comes around once in a decade.’
—Former teammate Mike Sweeney

“With his physical attributes, he’s got the potential to be a legitimate All-Star, year in and year out. What’s scary is that he still hasn’t put it all together.”
—Royals GM Allard Baird

"He's letting the game come to him now, and he has the ability to do that. His confidence has let him slow the game down."
—Baird

“In my mind, he’s one of the top five players in the game. He can run, he can throw, he can hit, and he plays a premium position. He’s a franchise player.”
—Agent Scott Boras

“This guy is focused. Nobody knows what he is capable of doing.”
—Royals manager Tony Pena

“The guy’s a superstar.”
—Veteran pitcher Brian Anderson

“He’s one of a kind.”
—Former teammate Jeremy Affeldt

"He's a stud. I didn't know he was that good until I played next to him. He can fly. Guerrero is Superman, but I'd say Carlos is Spider Man."
—Former teammate Rondell White

"The game looks like ti comes so easy to him. He does so many things well."
—Blue Jays GM J.P. Ricciardi

"He's a real pleasant kid. He's very quiet, that's all. When you talk to him, he lights up. He's very engaging and very bright. Carlos is very focused kind of individual. It's nice to have a leader by example."
—Mets manager Willie Randolph