Washington Nationals: Welcome To D.C. Brady House
The pick is in and Brady House is the newest member of the Nats farm system.
Despite all the mock drafts that come out, no one exactly knows how the draft will unfold. And that is exactly what happened earlier tonight. Brady House, one of the top prep players in the draft, fell into the National’s lap and they couldn’t resist.
The high school shortstop from Winder-Barrow (GA), possesses impressive pop. In 31 games this spring, the righty hit .549, with eight homers, and 20 RBIs. The eighth-ranked prospect per MLB Pipeline, House is the second position player taken by the Nationals in the first round over the last eight years.
Many believed Ty Madden was going to be the Nats pick, but no one expected House to fall this far. Teams drafting under slot played a major part in his tumble. But Nationals fans should be ecstatic by this selection.
His best attributes are his arm and power, both given a 60 rank by MLB Pipeline which uses a 20-80 scale. MLB Pipeline also broke down House’s playing style stating,
“At 6-foot-4 and 215 pounds with plenty of strength and bat speed, House looks the part of a power hitter and has well-above-average raw pop to all fields. But after showing the ability to crush good velocity and handle quality breaking balls in past years on the showcase circuit, he got excessively aggressive and his right-handed stroke got longer and slower. Since learning what happens when he sells out for home runs, he has made adjustments, shortened his swing and gotten back to doing damage.”“An average runner, House likely will move to third base in pro ball but may be athletic enough to stay at shortstop. The Tennessee recruit should be at least a solid defender at the hot corner and possesses a plus arm that can pump fastballs up to 96 mph off the mound.”
For those worried that House was drafted to be the successor to Trea Turner, rest easy. A move to third base may be in his future. Now Washington will need to work out a deal with the prep star, but it seems the Nats have a steal on their hands.