DENVER, CO – SEPTEMBER 19: Carter Kieboom #17 of the Los Angeles Angels throws during warm ups prior to the game between the Los Angeles Angels and the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field on Friday, September 19, 2025 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Casey Paul/MLB Photos via Getty Images)
MLB Photos via Getty Images
Little known Carter Kieboom could become an important component of the 2026 Cleveland Guardians.
As a free agent, Cleveland signed the right-handed hitting Kieboom to a minor league contract.
Capable of playing multiple positions, Kieboom, 28, could be a tremendous insurance policy waiting in the minor league wings.
Listed by the Guardians as an infielder, Kieboom has played shortstop, third base, and first base in the Washington Nationals organization.
There are several intriguing background aspects to Kieboom that could be meaningful during the Guardians season.
1- Kieboom was a first round selection of the Washington Nationals in the 2016 Major League Baseball draft.
Chosen out of George Walton Comprehensive High School in Mareitta, Georgia, Kieboom was given a $2M signing bonus by the Nationals. That amount was below the recommended amount for his draft slot.
Highly regarded baseball prospect media outlets ranked Kieboom among the Nationals Top 10 prospects the moment he was drafted.
2- Kieboom advanced to Double-A Harrisburg at the age of 20, which was more than four years younger than the average Eastern League player at the time.
3- Kieboom was selected for his offensive potential, although he could play defense well enough to remain at shortstop. He was viewed as one of the best overall high school hitters in his draft class.
4- Kieboom made his major league debut with the Nationals in April 2019, at the age of 21.
He played parts of four seasons with the Nationals, hitting .199/.297/.301/.598, with nine doubles, no triples, 12 home runs, and 42 home runs, in 508 plate appearances, covering 133 games.
5-Never reaching his potential, Kieboom became a free agent on October 22, 2025. He signed with the Los Angeles Angels.
This is a 2022 photo of Carter Kieboom of the Washington Nationals baseball team. This image reflects the Washington Nationals active roster Wednesday, March 17, 2022, in West Palm Beach, Fla., when this image was taken. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)
Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.
More about Carter Kierboom:
Kieboom is 6-1, 221 pounds.
Kieboom is the brother of Spencer Kieboom, who was drafted as a catcher for the Washington Nationals in 2012.
Kieboom likely caught the eyes of Guardians scouts this past season, as he played for Triple-A Salt Lake City in the Pacific Coast League.
While the Pacific Coast League is known as a hitting paradise, players still have to compete and excel to be recognized.
Kieboom hit a career best .319/.368/.449/.817, with 17 doubles, two triples, nine home runs, and 57 RBIs in 420 plate appearances, covering 93 games.
While at Salt Lake City, Kieboom played first base, second base, and third base. It is noteworthy that he did not play shortstop, the position for which Kieboom was drafted.
This old scout had the opportunity to evaluate Kieboom in two separate Arizona Fall League appearances, in 2014, and in 2015.
These were this scout’s comments after his 2014 Fall League experience, playing for Mesa.
“Knows strike zone well. Aggressive hitter, often reaching for pitches out of the zone. Solid bat-to-ball skills, with good contact on hittable pitches. Basically a single’s hitter, with limited power upside. Can barrel up the baseball, but gap doubles seem to be his limit. Uses the entire field well. Defensively-average at shortstop, with enough range and an average arm. Profiles better at second base.”
Washington Nationals’ Carter Kieboom warms up before the start of a spring training baseball game against the Houston Astros Monday, March 1, 2021, in West Palm Beach, Fla. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
Copyright 2021 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.
Why Kieboom Matters:
The Guardians currently have a number of shortstop candidates on their roster.
Any player from among Gabriel Arias, Brayan Rocchio. Daniel Schneemann, or Angel Genao can play shortstop.
The Guardians currently have a number of first basemen in their organization.
Any player from among Kyle Manzardo, C.J. Keyfus, and David Fry can play first base well enough to claim a starting role. If they don’t play first base, they can serve as a designated hitter.
Carter Kieboom offers some insurance in the event of poor performance, or serious injury at shortstop, first base, and probably at third and second bases as well.
Kieboom hits right-handed, which is of value to an organization short on pure right-handed hitters.
Conclusions:
This will be an important year for Carter Kieboom.
Can he hit like he did at Triple-A Salt Lake City, or was his production a result of his environment?
Can Kieboom contribute to the Guardians major league club if called upon during the season?
This old scout has high hopes for right-handed hitting Carter Kieboom.