Nationals Expected to Install Top Prospect Carter Kieboom as Anthony Rendon Replacement
By Michael Luciano
The defending champion Washington Nationals will have a new third baseman, as the much-hyped Carter Kieboom will assume a starting role in 2020.
Dave Martinez confirmed that Kieboom will be the team's starting third baseman, following in the footsteps of Anthony Rendon.
Davey Martinez says "as of right now," he expects Carter Kieboom to be the starting third baseman.
— Mark Zuckerman (@MarkZuckerman) July 4, 2020
Kieboom was a highly touted prospect, but he really struggled in his first taste of big league action in 2019. Kieboom recorded just five hits in 39 at-bats, good for a .128 average and 24 OPS+.
Not only will Kieboom have to provide enough power to make up for the loss of Ryan Zimmerman, who chose to sit out the 2020 season, but he will have to replace Rendon, who signed with the Los Angeles Angels in free agency. The pressure will be on this 22-year-old dynamo to prove he can stick.
Carter Kieboom expected to be Nats' starting 3B https://t.co/fjqZEkUFZK
— Rotoworld Baseball (@Rotoworld_BB) July 4, 2020
Kieboom not only has to show the Nationals that he's a viable starter after a poor first go-round in the major leagues, but he has to do it on a team vying for a championship in a shortened season while replacing one of the best players in the game. No pressure, kid.