Now Healthy, Nationals’ Brady House Quickly Rebuilds Prospect Stock
Nearly a year to the day Brady House’s season ended in 2022, the 20-year-old third baseman earned a promotion to High-A Wilmington.
After a back injury cut short his 2022 season, House was typically playing four days per week this summer. In his first 12 games at High-A, he hit .354/.392/.625 with three home runs for Wilmington, which plays at a notorious pitcher’s park.
“He hit one to straightaway center (on June 22) for his first home run with them, but he could have so many more most places,” Nationals farm director De Jon Watson said.
“I was there last week, and he hit three that would’ve been out of the park (at Low-A Fredericksburg). One was a double, one was run down (by an outfielder) and the other one was a long single because the baserunner had to hold up.”
Watson praised House’s work in batting practice, particularly his adjustments at hitting toward the middle of the field and at backspinning the ball.
House, the 11th pick in the 2021 draft out of high school in Winder, Ga., was a sensation in Rookie ball in his draft year and then again early in his full-season debut at Fredericksburg. Through his first 36 games last year, House hit .296/.370/.504 with six homers.
But that’s when a back injury—and later a bout with Covid struck—and House’s production flat-lined. Back in Fredericksburg to start this season, he hit a strikingly similar .297/.369/.500 with six homers in 36 games. His walk rate rose from 5.9% to 10.1%. His strikeout rate fell from 29.1% to 21.5%.
“I don’t think he had a bad year last year,” Watson said. “His body just broke down on him.”
The Nationals are managing House’s workload while he moves from shortstop to third base. The 6-foot-4, 215-pound House has an above-average arm, and he is working with infield coordinator Cody Ransom on his new position.
“His reads and jumps are so much better,” Watson said. “He’s laying out for balls to his left and showing a lot of range when the shortstop is up the middle on a lefthanded hitter. He’s scooting well to both sides.”
CAPITAL GAINS
— Middle infielder Jordy Barley was promoted from High-A Wilmington to fill a need at Triple-A Rochester, and he quickly fit in defensively. The 23-year-old also homered in his 11th at-bat with the Red Wings. Barley returned to Wilmington on June 28. “We’re trying to make adjustments with him offensively,” Watson said. “If we can get the bat going, we’ll really have something.”
— Low-A Fredericksburg will be one of two minor league hosts for MLB Home Run Derby X events in August. Former major leaguer Jonny Gomes is scheduled to participate in both Fredericksburg and in Hartford, Conn. “The Home Run Derby X concept was very well-received during our international events last year, and we expect similar levels of enthusiasm here in the States,” said Casey Brett, MLB’s senior vice president of business development.
