Angels Sign Carter Kieboom To Minors Contract

The Angels have signed infielder Carter Kieboom to a minor league deal, according to Aram Leighton of Just Baseball Media (X link).  While not specified, it seems likely that Kieboom’s contract includes an invitation to the Halos’ big league spring camp.

There’s some irony that Kieboom is now again in the same organization as Anthony Rendon, since Kieboom was once viewed as Rendon’s successor at third base in Washington.  Selected 28th overall by the Nationals in the 2016 draft, Kieboom received plenty of attention on top-100 prospect lists as he continued to hit his way up the Nats’ minor league ladder.  He made his MLB debut in the form of 11 games with the Nationals in 2019, and after Rendon signed with the Angels during the 2019-20 offseason, the path was seemingly clear for Kieboom to step in at the hot corner.

Unfortunately, Kieboom hasn’t delivered over parts of four Major League seasons, though his entire career in the Show (133 games and 508 plate appearances) is still short of even one full season.  Kieboom has hit .199/.297/.301 over those 508 PA, and he didn’t get any big league action in 2022 since he missed most of the season recovering from Tommy John surgery.  After playing in 27 games with the Nationals in 2023, Kieboom again missed out on any MLB playing time last year, as he spent the whole season at Triple-A after being outrighted off Washington’s 40-man roster.

Now entering his age-27 season, Kieboom will see if he can be a late bloomer in Anaheim.  He naturally wouldn’t be a fit as a starter at third base, but since the Angels are at least looking around for third base possibilities besides Rendon, Kieboom might have a shot at winning a roster spot during a Spring Training competition.  Primarily a third baseman, Kieboom does have some career experience at the other three infield positions, which could help his bid for a job.