Carter Kieboom 2020

[imref]

I know, small sample size, it's early.....

So far:

Anthony Rendon
24 ABs .167 / .412 / .745, 1 HR

Carter Kieboom
12 ABs .417 / .563 / .979, 0 HR

[nfotiu]

I wonder if this fanless environment is a good way to get Kieboom comfortable playing in the majors.   He looks more relaxed in this environment so far.

[Five Banners]

I wonder if this fanless environment is a good way to get Kieboom comfortable playing in the majors.   He looks more relaxed in this environment so far.

Might not hurt in terms of focus and reps

[zimm_da_kid]

The lack of fans ain't helping his defense. 

[Slateman]

The lack of fans ain't helping his defense. 

We may as well play him there in this wash of  season, but ultimately, I think he ends up at first. His defense was never touted highly, and I dont know that he ever will become a good defensive third baseman. But his approach is mature a d his bat is capable.

[JCA-CrystalCity]

We may as well play him there in this wash of  season, but ultimately, I think he ends up at first. His defense was never touted highly, and I dont know that he ever will become a good defensive third baseman. But his approach is mature a d his bat is capable.

gee, I thought the reports were that he could stick at SS if we needed it.  I don't get the D other than lack of reps at 3d. 

[imref]

not playing tonight.

[Slateman]

If hes hurt, put him on the IL and let him heal. If hes not, he needs to start consistently.  In this crap show of a season, the Nats need to figure out what they have in him.

[Elvir Ovcina]

gee, I thought the reports were that he could stick at SS if we needed it.  I don't get the D other than lack of reps at 3d.

SS and 3B are more differentiated than most people think, but some things are hard to fix.  If hands are the issue, he can't play anywhere in the IF.  If it's lateral quickness, 3B isn't going to be the answer.  At that point, you're choosing either putting him in the OF or picking which infield position you want bad defense at.  I certainly don't want a dude with stone hands at 1B. 

I saw him a few times in the low minors and I didn't see an MLB SS there.  But unless I saw the wrong games, I did think he could probably handle third. 

[GataNats]

Him not playing everyday is about as ridiculous as can be.   Let him grow into the position.   If nothing else, use him as a DH.   Only guy on the team that is hitting

[Slateman]

Great plan. Leta burn his team control to have him not play, when you have a ton of footage to refute any complaints about manipulating service time

[nfotiu]

Isn't it likely that the groin injury has been keeping him out of games?

[Slateman]

Isn't it likely that the groin injury has been keeping him out of games?

Then put him on the IL and let him get better.

[bluestreak]

Then put him on the IL and let him get better.

IL stint would be like 15 percent of the season. Maybe more considering doubleheaders. If you think he’s going to miss a game or two, why would you do this. Especially with bigger rosters. 

[Slateman]

IL stint would be like 15 percent of the season. Maybe more considering doubleheaders. If you think he’s going to miss a game or two, why would you do this. Especially with bigger rosters. 

He's played in less than half the games. He just came off 5 days off, played a game, and then sat in the bench. So if this is a health thing, get him healthy and roll him out.

Our top two starting pitchers are hurt, and it will probably be a while. This season is stupid and no one is going to count it. Oh and over half the teams are going to the postseason.

[hohoho]

SS and 3B are more differentiated than most people think, but some things are hard to fix.  If hands are the issue, he can't play anywhere in the IF.  If it's lateral quickness, 3B isn't going to be the answer.  At that point, you're choosing either putting him in the OF or picking which infield position you want bad defense at.  I certainly don't want a dude with stone hands at 1B. 

I saw him a few times in the low minors and I didn't see an MLB SS there.  But unless I saw the wrong games, I did think he could probably handle third.

SS certainly requires much greater athleticism, so that's probably a no-go.
3B has a longer throw but SS requires a stronger arm as well as much greater agility and speed.
1B may require the least athleticism.
The order of importance if not athleticism per sabrematics:
C
SS
2B
CF
3B
RF
LF
1B

[Elvir Ovcina]

SS certainly requires much greater athleticism, so that's probably a no-go.
3B has a longer throw but SS requires a stronger arm as well as much greater agility and speed.
1B may require the least athleticism.
The order of importance if not athleticism per sabrematics:
C
SS
2B
CF
3B
RF
LF
1B

Yeah, but if your hands don't work for 3B, they don't work for 1B either.  Within certain limits, you can be a lardass at 1B, but if you can't field hard hit grounders and scoop throws, you'll be a butcher there even if you can move. 

[nfotiu]

Has he been that bad at 3rd?   I've missed parts of some games, but the one error is the only real gaffe I saw and that was a tough hop.   He seems athletic enough to figure out fielding at 3rd.

[KV]

I admit I haven’t seen a lot of him, but what I have seen it didn’t seem like he has a particularly strong arm.

[Duke of Earl]

Yeah, but if your hands don't work for 3B, they don't work for 1B either. 

First base is much more forgiving. You can momentarily botch a ground ball and if you keep it in front of you still have lots of time to recover and get the out.

[zimm_da_kid]

well as FP said, we have definitely been spoiled by having Zimm and Rendon manning the position since 2006.  Any drop off from their levels will look comparatively bad just because we've come to expect greatness.

[Dave in Fairfax]

well as FP said, we have definitely been spoiled by having Zimm and Rendon manning the position since 2006.  Any drop off from their levels will look comparatively bad just because we've come to expect greatness.

There have also been an unusually large number of pretty good third basemen around the league in recent years, so maybe fan expectations are a little high. We are used to the range and dramatic plays of Rendon, Arenade, Machado, etc.

[Elvir Ovcina]

First base is much more forgiving. You can momentarily botch a ground ball and if you keep it in front of you still have lots of time to recover and get the out.

Which is balanced out by the need to scoop throws fairly often.  Fans seem to take those scoops for granted on the major league level, but wait until you've got Adam Dunn over there again and any throw below the knees is an automatic throwing error.

[JCA-CrystalCity]

Which is balanced out by the need to scoop throws fairly often.  Fans seem to take those scoops for granted on the major league level, but wait until you've got Adam Dunn over there again and any throw below the knees is an automatic throwing error.

was it Linty who put together an analysis of Dunn's fielding at 1st to show he was adequate?

[GataNats]

Why in the world do we keep sitting this kid out?