While there were numerous impressive performances at the 2015 Under Armour All-America Game, nobody improved his stock more than Carter Kieboom. He was already trending in the weeks prior to our game, and if anything he strengthened his trajectory in Chicago.

The ease with which he did everything during the workouts stood out most to me. He moved easily both ways to play ground balls, and easily spun his throws across the infield. During BP, his swing was loose and easy to create consistent hard contact from gap to gap.

After being selected as a captain’s pick for the home run derby semi-finals, Kieboom put a large number of good passes on balls for a total of 3 home runs in his two minutes. His move isn’t really built to launch the ball up in the air, but he put on a good show en route to a respectable total.

Once the game started, he really stood out. He singled to right field against a 98 mph fastball from Riley Pint in the first inning, and turned around a 92 mph heater from Gregory Veliz for a scorched line drive single to right center field in the third inning. Though it didn’t result in a base hit, some of his most impressive work at the plate came in the fourth inning — where he was right on a top quality changeup from Jesus Luzardo, and then fouled the 92 mph fastball he saw on the very next pitch right back to the screen. He was as locked in during that battle as any amateur hitter I’ve seen in a long time, and was  retired on a borderline strike three call on a backdoor slider that appeared a little up and away.

Kieboom’s impressive game performance also included two runs and a stolen base, good enough for no-brainer MVP honors for the American team.

Carter Kieboom

POS: IF
HT: 6’2″
WT: 190
B/T: R/R
YOG: 2016
HOMETOWN: Marietta, GA
COLLEGE VERBAL: Clemson Univ.

ROAD TO WRIGLEY:
1) 2015 Under Armour Pre-Season All-America Tournament

VIDEO CLIP:
2015 Under Armour Pre-Season All-America Tournament

PREVIOUS SCOUTING REPORTS:
Kieboom was a Top 10 performer among 2016 graduates at the 2015 Under Armour Pre-Season All-America Tournament at Cubs Park in January. His scouting report from that recap appears below:

It isn’t very often we find a corner player with actions and tools more commonly seen in guys that play in the middle of the field — normally it works the other way. That’s the case with Carter Kieboom however, he offers premium position type athleticism and defensive ability along with the offensive ability expected of corner players.

He posted 6.81 in the 60 yard dash, good enough for top 10 honors at this event, and showed defensive actions in line with all but the top shortstops we saw. His ability to generate momentum through the play on the ball, and then to apply that to a quick and strong release, gives him potential to make a large variety of plays on the hot corner.

At the plate, he featured an athletic setup and hands that wanted to move with quickness and speed. He has the makings of a high-level hit and power combination, thanks to his ability to combine hand-eye coordination, bat speed and feel for hitting. In seven at bats, he collected four hits including a triple to left field that highlighted his long and easy running stride as he rounded the bases. Additionally, he showed base running awareness and instincts with good reads on balls in the dirt.

At 6-foot-2 and 180 pounds, he has a high waist with athletic proportions and room to fill out. A quality all-around player equipped to play at the highest game speed, Carter also has impressive baseball bloodlines — his dad Alswinn Kieboom played at Eastern Illinois University, his oldest brother Trevor Kieboom is a third baseman at the University of Georgia, while his middle brother Spencer Kieboom was a 5th round pick of the Washington Nationals in the 2012 draft.

Based on his performance in Mesa, Carter was selected to the 2015 Under Armour All-America Game, scheduled for August 15 at Wrigley Field in Chicago.