Work ethic getting Kieboom noticed in first major league camp

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. - It's 8:20 a.m. on a sweltering March morning, not a hint of breeze to cool the baking sun and the temperatures on their way into the upper 80s. Carter Kieboom grabs a bat out of his locker stall, checks the morning hitting assignments and pops out of the back clubhouse door at FITTEAM Ballpark of the Palm Beaches.

While some of his Nationals teammates are still getting dressed or chowing down in the cafeteria, Kieboom immerses himself in a round of batting practice. A half-hour later, he returns to the clubhouse, drenched in sweat and eager for the next job on his to-do list for the day.

When you're a guy who's topped out so far at Double-A and you're in your first major league camp, you tend to attack every task the same way: like you want the manager and front office to take notice. And so far, Kieboom has made quite the positive impression.

"I love it," manager Davey Martinez said. "He works diligently on everything. You never have to talk to him. He's out there. He prepares himself well."

Truth be told, the Nationals were hoping that's the way Kieboom would react to his non-roster invite to camp. Since they selected him with the 28th pick in the first round of the 2016 First-Year Player Draft out of Walton High School in Marietta, Ga., the Nats have had designs on catcher Spencer Kieboom's younger brother taking over a spot in their infield.

But with Trea Turner entrenched at shortstop and under team control through 2022, they had to be creative with Kieboom, a natural shortstop. They sent Kieboom, 21, to the Arizona Fall League after last season to learn to play second base, a process that has continued into spring training.

"It's different," admits Kieboom. "One's shortstop, one's second base - they're different positions. Your skill set from shortstop, it's going to carry over to second base to an extent. But second base, it's also a lot more redirection. You don't necessarily have the given momentum you have toward first base you have at shortstop. ... Second base is a lot of redirection. Even when you're going to second base, you've got to redirect your feet to get that angle to get your shoulders lined to throw to first. On double plays, it's a redirect - you've got to take that ball and redirect it to first base. It is different, but it is also something I feel I'm very comfortable with."

The Nationals felt Kieboom's natural athleticism would make for a smooth transition. After this season, when Brian Dozier's one-year contract expires, they'll have a need a second base and believe Kieboom will be ready.

"I use my athleticism to take over and just trust myself," Kieboom said. "I think that's all you can do. If you start thinking about it too much is when you start to make mistakes versus when you make your mistakes in practice. You make your mistakes in practice and you have a clear mind in the game. You're not thinking about what you're practicing in the morning, you're just going out to play. Eventually when you keep doing it over and over, it comes natural to you. And that's where I am now: It's coming natural to me."

So is fitting into a decidedly veteran clubhouse. This spring, in his first camp, Kieboom is lockering in a corner of the clubhouse a few feet away from some of the most experienced Nats: Howie Kendrick, Adam Eaton, Ryan Zimmerman, Matt Adams and Dozier.

"It definitely helps to get their opinions, what they think, how they go about their business," Kieboom said. "They show up early every single day, get their work in. They've been around for a while for a reason. They know how to do it, they know the ins and outs and they don't take any days off from what they're trying to accomplish."

Kieboom has tried to mirror the veterans' movements, eagerly reporting for fielding work with coaches Chip Hale and Tim Bogar, a pair of former major league infielders who are tasked with turning a natural shortstop into a second baseman.

"It's been good," said Kieboom, who is slashing .308/.444/.462 with three RBIs in 10 Grapefruit League games. "I've gotten a lot of work in with Bogey and Chip. Pretty much every morning, we've been out there working on stuff. It's been a pretty smooth transition so far. I feel very comfortable over there. At the end of the day, it's still in the infield, it's just a different read, that's all."

And if that's what it takes to reach the majors more quickly, Kieboom is all in.

"A hundred percent," he said. "I'll play anywhere they want me to play. It does not matter to me where I play. At the end of the day, all I want to do is help the team win."

Along with fielding ground balls and hitting fastballs, Kieboom has spent much of the spring learning how to be a part of the team he hopes to play for one day very soon. It wouldn't be surprising to see him make his major league debut in 2019, and if he does, Kieboom isn't going to be a starstruck rookie confounded by towering light standards and stadiums with three decks.

"Every year, I have goals and things I want to achieve, he said. "But at the same time, spring training is my time to get ready for that long journey ahead, prepare my body for what it's going to go through. Really, I want to build relationships with people, get to know their thought processes. If I can know they think, then we'll be on the same page and things will be easier for us. There won't be all that miscommunication that can go on through the course of the season. I just want to get to know people, then just do my work."