Extended break gave Kieboom chance to fix some glitches

When last we saw him on a baseball field, nearly four long months ago, Carter Kieboom was under an intense spotlight. And feeling the heat more often than not.

The Nationals' top hitting prospect, Kieboom was trying to prove he was ready to replace Anthony Rendon as the club's starting third baseman, despite precious little experience at the position. His performances through one month of spring training, both in exhibition games and on back fields, suggested he was far from comfortable at the hot corner.

Then came the unexpected. The suspension of spring training. The postponement of the start of the season. Months spent at home trying to find a way to stay sharp while waiting for the resumption of play.

Nobody would try to suggest a global pandemic has been a good thing. And Kieboom isn't. But with so much unexpected time off, the 22-year-old figured he might as well try to make the most of it. Working on his own and with a few fellow ballplayers who live near him in suburban Atlanta, he set out to correct all the fundamental flaws he realized he'd developed in his rush to make the opening day roster back in March.

And now, as he prepares to open the 2020 season two weeks from today as the Nationals' starting third baseman, Kieboom believes all the time off helped him and leaves him in a better position to succeed now than he would've been had the season opened as originally scheduled.

"I totally agree with that," he said. "I think it's very easy to kind of throw the towel in and get frustrated that you're so close to a season, and it all gets washed away the way it did. It kind of was a blessing in disguise, because I found some things I was doing in spring training I didn't really care for from the offensive side and the defensive side."

We'll find out soon enough if it made a positive difference. What loomed as the Nationals' biggest question in spring training - Who's the new third baseman? - was already answered by manager Davey Martinez as summer training opened. It's Kieboom's job until he proves he can't handle it.

That declaration, made before the team had even taken the field as one for the first time in months, came sooner than expected. It may have been designed to help boost Kieboom's confidence. He never had a chance to worry his next error could cost him the job.

"He's got all the ability in the world to play up here for many years," Martinez said. "We just want him to go out there and have fun. He's looked good. He's hit the ball really well during batting practice. His defense is definitely improved. It's going to be like any other player: We're going to stick with him and give him time and get him ready, just like we're getting everyone else ready."

Kieboom's reaction to his manager's immediate vote of confidence?

"That's awesome," the rookie said. "But I'll be honest with you. The first thing that ran through my head was: 'Let's keep the job.' It's one thing to get one, but it's another thing to keep it and progress that way. That's kind of where my head's at right now."

Kieboom tried to keep his head on baseball during the long hiatus. After a thorough re-examination of his play in spring training, he found some fundamental flaws that needed correcting. Then he set about to correct them, most notably his footwork at third base.

"I took tons and tons of ground balls," he said. "Worked on them hit hard. Slow ones. I did everything. I tried to check all those boxes, so that way when I showed up I wasn't a step behind. I felt like I could be a step ahead."

The Nationals coaching staff appreciates the time and effort Kieboom put in during the break. But they also know improved fundamentals can disappear the moment a young player boots a grounder or throws a ball away.

For a player under the spotlight like a rookie attempting to replace a star third baseman, success could hinge more on his ability to brush off mistakes than to avoid making any in the first place.

"When he makes a mistake ... we go over there, we pick him up," Martinez said. "'Hey, it's going to happen. It's happened to all of us. Keep your head up, and let's get to that next play, that next pitch.' We've all been there, so we understand. And he understands that there's going to be some growing pains, but he's got to live through it and he's got to bounce back."

In that regard, Kieboom's approach to his unexpected second offseason may offer a glimpse into his upbeat attitude. He could've sat around the house and lamented his struggles in spring training. Instead, he chose to take this surprise break and fix the things that led to those struggles.

"I'm always going to try to take the positive out of whatever situation is thrown our way," he said. "I wouldn't say I loved the time off. I'd much rather be playing baseball. But I feel like I made the most of that time I had off."