The three Kieboom brothers grew up playing baseball together in suburban Atlanta, and years later, the sport still keeps the family close.
Trevor Kieboom is a college player-turned-agent while oldest brother Spencer is a catcher in the Nationals system who has spent time in the majors in recent years. So it’s not surprising that younger brother Carter — the 21-year-old shortstop who is Nationals’ latest phenom — would not be intimidated by being called up to the big leagues.
But poise and maturity are one thing. Making baseball history in your first weekend in the majors is another.
The Nationals became the first team in Major League Baseball history to have three players under the age of 22 hit homers in the same game as Juan Soto, 20, Victor Robles, 21, and Kieboom all went deep Sunday against the Padres in a 7-6 11-inning win.
It was the second homer in three games for Kieboom, who made his major league debut just two days earlier as his brother Trevor and other family members cheered him on.
“I just know he is really proud,” Carter said of Trevor, whose playing career was cut short by injuries. “He wishes (pro ball) was something he could have pursued. It wasn’t in the playing cards for him. I guarantee you he wishes he could be doing the same thing I am doing right now. That is every kids’ dream. But at the same time, he gets to stay involved and be close to it.”
QUIZ: Can you match the nickname to the Major League Baseball player?
The Kieboom family — minus Spencer, 28, who was catching for red-hot Double-A Harrisburg in Hartford — was caught on camera Friday at Nationals Park celebrating Carter’s first homer.
Trevor’s firm represents Carter and Spencer, who played in college at Clemson. Carter was drafted in the first round by the Nationals out of Walton High in Georgia in 2016. Trevor began his college career at Clemson, then played at a junior college and the University of Georgia before his playing days ended.
“I wanted to stay in baseball,” Trevor told The Washington Times last year. “I went to business school at Georgia. It was a seamless transition.”
“That was a great moment for everybody that supported me along the way,” Carter said of his game-tying homer Friday that came off former Nationals reliever Craig Stammen.
“It’s awesome,” Nationals outfielder Michael A. Taylor said. “He speaks to the young talent we have in this organization.”
“He is very mature for his age,” Nationals manager Dave Martinez said Monday. “He is very poised.”
Martinez could have been talking about any of young players who homered Sunday, but this time it was Carter Kieboom who drew praise.
While Carter hit .379 at Triple-A Fresno this season, his improvement on defense was just as important in leading to his promotion.
He played a lot of second last year in the minors and he saw more action at short as he began this season in the Pacific Coast League. He worked on his defense with several instructors, including former Kansas City Royals minor league infielder Jeff Garber.
“Carter’s defense has evolved over the last couple of years,” Washington director of player development Mark Scialabba said. “He deserves a ton of credit for the improvements he’s made.”
With regular shortstop Trea Turner out with a finger injury, Carter could see his name in the starting lineup at shortstop for the next few weeks.
What advice does Martinez give him?
“Just play good defense and take your walks,” Martinez said.
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