Nationals top draft pick Kieboom gets $2 million to sign

By Mark Zuckerman

Nationals

June 16, 2016, 9:46am

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The Nationals and top draft pick Carter Kieboom agreed to terms this week on a deal that will pay the 18-year-old shortstop a $2 million signing bonus, a source familiar with the decision confirmed.

That amount, which was first reported by MLB.com's Jim Callis, is roughly the same as Major League Baseball's predetermined slot amount of $2,065,900 for the 28th overall selection in last week's draft.

The club has yet to announce Kieboom's signing, but he appeared at Nationals Park on Monday, receiving a tour from team officials and watching batting practice from the field.

Nats Park day game.jpg

Kieboom, who had committed to attend Clemson in the fall, instead chose to sign professionally now with the same organization that already employs his brother. Spencer Kieboom, a fifth-round pick in the 2012 draft, is currently hitting .255 with three homers and 19 RBIs for Double-A Harrisburg, where he has become one of the Nationals' top catching prospects.

Carter Kieboom hit .366 with five homers, 37 RBIs and a .504 on-base percentage during his senior season at Walton High School in Marietta, Ga. Though drafted as a shortstop, the Nationals may move the 6-foot-2, 185-pounder to third base at some point.

Right-hander Dane Dunning, the club's other first-round draft pick, has yet to sign. He's still currently pitching for Florida, which advanced to the College World Series.