Shortstops

Carter Kieboom Carter Kieboom
DOB: 9/3/97
Ht. 6’2″
Wt. 190
Bats: R
Throws: R
Career Stats
Kieboom was indeed challenged with Low-A but injuries limited him to just 48 games at Hagerstown and 61 total. Questions are now starting to arise about his defense, as he compensates for a lack of a first-step and an average arm with good hands and positioning. But the bat is still well-regarded as he hit for both average (.297 BA) power (.493 SLG) and showed good discipline (.400 OBP). Despite the shortened season, he’s expected to begin ’18 in High-A.
Yasel Antuna Yasel Antuna
DOB: 10/26/99
Ht. 6′
Wt. 170
Bats: S
Throws: R
Career Stats
Antuna holds the distinction of the most expensive IFA in franchise history at $3.85M. The 17-y.o. lived up to the price tag with a .781 OPS in 48G in the GCL last summer. However, that breaks down to .879 vs. RHPs and .382 vs. LHPs (albeit in just 35AB). Scouts like his “polished approach” and “projectable frame.” Defensively, he struggled with 20E in 21G at SS and six in 15 at 3B, but he’ll likely stick at SS in ’18.
Luis Garcia Luis Garcia
DOB: 5/16/00
Ht. 6′
Wt. 190
Bats: L
Throws: R
Career Stats
Of the three 16-y.o. IFA shortstops, Garcia may well be the most polished defensively, as he committed just four errors in 42 games split between 2B and SS. At the plate, he’s already using the whole field but is not consistently using his lower body to generate power, with just one HR and 12XBH, which is rather low for someone with plus-plus speed. The projection from BA is for Garcia to go to SS-A (Low-A for Antuna).