The Angels sign Carter Kieboom to the Minors

The Angels have signed an infielder Carter Kieboom to a minor league deal, according to Aram Leighton of Just Baseball Media (link X). While unspecified, it seems likely that Kieboom’s contract will include an invitation to the Halos’ big league spring camp.

There is some irony in the fact that Kieboom is now back in the same organization Antonio Rendonsince Kieboom was once seen as Rendon’s successor at Washington third base. Selected 28th overall by the Nationals in the 2016 draft, Kieboom received a lot of attention on top-100 prospect lists as he continued to climb the Nats’ minor league ladder. He made his MLB debut in the form of an 11-game appearance 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 didn’t deliver parts of four major league seasons, though his entire Show career (133 games and 508 plate appearances) still falls short of even a full season. Kieboom hit .199/.297/.301 over those 508 PAs and didn’t see any big league action in 2022 as he missed much of the season recovering from Tommy John surgery. After playing 27 games with the Nationals in 2023, Kieboom again missed any MLB playing time last year, as he spent the entire season in Triple-A after being outrighted from the 40-man roster Washington.

Now entering his age-27 season, Kieboom will see if he can be a late bloomer in Anaheim. Naturally, he wouldn’t be a good fit as a starting third baseman, but since the Angels are at least pursuing third base options beyond Rendon, Kieboom could have a chance to win a roster spot during a spring training competition. Primarily a third baseman, Kieboom has some career experience at the other three infield positions, which could help his candidacy for a job.