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District On Deck

6 biggest questions for Nationals entering the offseason

By Jake Mastroianni

WASHINGTON, DC - OCTOBER 14: Stephen Strasburg #37, Kurt Suzuki #28, Ryan Zimmerman #11, Anthony Rendon #6 and Howie Kendrick #47 of the Washington Nationals meet on the mound during the seventh inning of game three of the National League Championship Series at Nationals Park on October 14, 2019 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC - OCTOBER 14: Stephen Strasburg #37, Kurt Suzuki #28, Ryan Zimmerman #11, Anthony Rendon #6 and Howie Kendrick #47 of the Washington Nationals meet on the mound during the seventh inning of game three of the National League Championship Series at Nationals Park on October 14, 2019 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images) /
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WASHINGTON, DC – APRIL 29: Carter  Kieboom #8 of the Washington Nationals looks on before playing against the St. Louis Cardinals at Nationals Park on April 29, 2019 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC – APRIL 29: Carter  Kieboom #8 of the Washington Nationals looks on before playing against the St. Louis Cardinals at Nationals Park on April 29, 2019 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images) /

Is it Carter Kieboom time

There could be as many as three positions to fill on the infield going into 2020 with shortstop being the only spot taken.

But if the Nationals determine that it’s time for Carter Kieboom to get a full-time shot at the big leagues, that takes care of another infield spot — most likely second base.

Kieboom is the Nationals’ highest ranked prospect according to MLB.com as he ranks 20th overall and fifth among shortstop prospects.

The 22-year-old spent almost all of 2019 at Triple-A where he hit .303 with 16 home runs, 79 RBI, and an OPS of .902.

He got a brief stint with the big league club but hit just .128 in 38 at-bats, but he did hit a pair of home runs.

Certainly, Kieboom has proven everything he needs to prove in the minors. I think it’s time for the Nationals to give him a chance to prove he can do it at the Major League level.

With Asdrubal Cabrera, Brian Dozier, and Howie Kendrick all becoming free agents this offseason, that opens up the perfect spot for Kieboom.

Although, I wouldn’t mind the Nationals bringing back Cabrera or Kendrick as insurance.

While we might not get an exact answer to this until Spring Training, I think what the Nationals decide to do this offseason will be very telling.

If they don’t make it a point to sign or trade for an every day second baseman, then I think it’s definitely Kieboom’s job to start 2020 — and it should be.

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