Given another shot, Kieboom makes most of opportunity

Painted into a corner in May when their lack of catching depth was exposed, the Nationals gave Spencer Kieboom a shot. Suffice it to say that the 27-year-old rookie has seized the opportunity.

KIeboom, whose major league experience was limited to a single at-bat (he walked) on the final day of the 2016 season, was pressed into service when starting catcher Matt Wieters was injured and placed on the disabled list on May 11. Pedro Severino took over the regular backstop duties and Kieboom had his contract selected from Triple-A Syracuse.

When Wieters returned from a hamstring injury, it was Severino, not Kieboom, who was farmed out. Since then, Kieboom has carved out a niche as a dependable backup backstop, one of the most difficult roles on a major league roster.

"The preparation that goes into playing probably excites me more than actually playing," said Kieboom, who has batted .189 in 39 games. "The worst experiences, I always think, are probably the best learning experiences. That's how you go about the cards that are dealt you. ... If you have a good attitude, it goes a long way."

KIeboom knows plenty about navigating the speed bumps that come with a professional baseball career. Since he was drafted by the Nationals in the fifth round of the 2012 First-Year Player Draft out of Clemson, he has had plenty of ups and downs.

Two springs ago, Kieboom was designated for assignment and then outrighted off the Nationals' 40-man roster when the club signed reliever Joe Blanton a couple of weeks into camp. There aren't many feelings worse than not being wanted - by the team that drafted you or by any of the other 29 major league clubs - and Kieboom admits he wasn't immune to feelings of self-doubt.

"It happened and I sat down with the powers that be and had a conversation with them," he recalled. "I said, 'You need to give me a couple of days mentally, maybe a week, and I'm not going to be myself - maybe a little angrier and a little saltier. Give me a week and I'll get over it and I'll have a good attitude and be my best self.' "

Kieboom went back to work, hitting .250 between Double-A Harrisburg and Syracuse, and committing himself to improving his defense. This year, he was batting .250 at Syracuse when the Nationals summoned him out of desperation.

But Kieboom made the most of the chance, spending time chatting up a veteran pitching staff, poring over video and working with hitting coaches Kevin Long and Joe Dillon and catching coach Henry Blanco to refine his game.

The results have drawn rave reviews.

"He's controlled the running game really well," manager Davey Martinez said. "He's been calling some good games and he's really learned a lot. He's learned and matured over the course of the year. He's done well."

Nowhere has the improvement been more noticeable than in Kieboom's defense. His game-calling has gotten better, he's more adept at blocking balls and he's thrown out eight of 16 attempted base stealers.

Kieboom didn't always show off a strong arm in the minors and opponents took liberties against him. But he's polished his mechanics to offer two distinct methods of gunning out runners: a more traditional upright approach and a from-his-knees throw that's especially tough against the speediest of runners.

"His throwing has improved unbelievable," Martinez said. "It really has. He's made a couple of throws from his knees and I was really shocked. I told him, 'Your arm strength has improved so much.'

"He's very aware of the runners and the situation. He (decides) as the play goes along whether he can throw or has to throw and has to throw and get rid of the ball quicker. That determines whether he stays on his knees or he gets up and throws."

Like any catcher, Kieboom takes pride in his work behind the plate. But he said his improvements are more a result of just trying to be a better batterymate.

"There's been ups and downs coming into this year defensively. Trying not to be somebody I'm not has been a big thing for me," he said. "Watching video with Matt and ... studying the opposing team and having that game plan - trying to make the guy on the mound as comfortable as I can - I think is huge."

When he's not playing, Kieboom is usually on the bench chatting up a pitcher or consulting with Wieters.

Like most backup catchers with sporadic playing time, Kieboom has struggled for offensive consistency. But he's learned to accept his shortcomings as well as accentuate his defensive gains.

"Be myself and try to learn as much as I can through Matt and trying to talk to pitchers during games," he said. "To me, that's me. If I can do that, be my best self, it can only help."