Trey Lipscomb, Jose Tena, Brady House Likely To Compete At 3B
MASN's Bobby Blanco writes that Washington Nationals infielders Trey Lipscomb, Jose Tena and Brady House are the most likely candidates to compete for the starting third base job in spring training this year. Lipscomb, 24, has the most MLB experience of the trio after making his big-league debut in 2024 and hitting .200/.268/.232 with a homer, 10 RBI and 11 steals in 61 games. He showed a strong glove, but Lipscomb was optioned four times in six months and recalled five times. Tena, 23, started 34 of the team's final 44 games at third and hit .274 with three homers, 15 RBI and six steals in 41 games with the Nats. He didn't outshine Lipscomb in the field but was much more impressive with the bat and produced nice exit velocities. House, 21, has been good on offense and defense but he has only made 51 appearances at third at Triple-A. The former first-rounder has more long-term upside but also needs more experience.
The Washington Nationals have invited third base prospect Brady House to major-league spring training this year, which begins next month. Per MLB Pipeline, House is the team's No. 3 prospect. In addition to House, right-hander Jarlin Susana (No. 4), catcher Caleb Lomavita (No. 10), first baseman/third baseman Yohandy Morales (No. 9), third baseman Cayden Wallace (No. 11), outfielder Daylen Lile (No. 12) and outfielder Andrew Pinckney (No. 28) were invited to MLB camp. The 21-year-old House, the 11th overall pick in 2021, hit only .241/.297/.402 with a .699 OPS, 19 home runs, 66 RBI, six steals and 68 runs scored in 129 games at Double-A Harrisburg and Triple-A Rochester last year. His aggressiveness at the plate led to a high strikeout rate and might have pushed his timeline back as Washington's third baseman of the future.
Washington Nationals third base/shortstop prospect Brady House went 2-for-2 with two long balls and three RBI on Thursday evening. This was his first multi-home run game of the 2024 campaign. Since moving up to Triple-A Rochester on July 7, the infielder has held a solid .283/.301/.495 slash line with five home runs, 21 RBI, six doubles, and a 3:25 BB:K ratio. House opened the summer by receiving his second look at Double-A and posted a .234/.310/.423 line. House is worth following in deeper redraft leagues as he may earn a brief taste of the majors in the coming weeks. He is shaping up to be the third baseman of the future in D.C. and could be a full-time major league player next summer.
Brady House Has A Chance To Become Nationals Third Baseman This Year
Washington Nationals infield prospect Trey Lipscomb has taken over third-base duties after the team released Nick Senzel earlier this month. While Lipscomb's defense has been solid at the hot corner, he's hit a disappointing .234/.296/.269 in 160 plate appearances. Meanwhile, infield prospect Brady House was recently promoted to Triple-A Rochester, where he's gone 4-for-12 with two doubles. If he continues to impress with the bat at the highest minor-league level, MASN's Mark Zuckerman suggests there's a real chance that House becomes the Nationals' starting third baseman before the end of the 2024 season. Lipscomb's big-league upside is probably as a utility infielder, while House profiles as the team's third baseman of the future. Although this possibility probably wouldn't play out until late August or September, House is worth stashing in deeper single-year fantasy leagues just in case.
Washington Nationals third base prospect Brady House recorded his first hit for Triple-A Rochester in his first game with the Red Wings on Tuesday. The Nationals' No. 3 prospect earned a promotion to Triple-A after hitting .234 with 13 homers and 34 RBI for Double-A Harrisburg. The 21-year-old was a first-round pick of the Nationals in the 2021 draft out of high school and has progressed to the highest level of the minors. With premium power and a big frame, House profiles as a future run producer for Washington. His first Triple-A hit is a good start as he tries to earn one final promotion on the way to a big-league debut.
Washington Nationals third base prospect Brady House has been promoted to Triple-A Rochester. The Nationals' No. 3 overall prospect hit .234 at Double-A Harrisburg with 13 homers and 34 RBI prior to his call-up to Triple-A. The 21-year-old is another in the long line of Nationals prospects making a rapid progression through the minor leagues following the footsteps of top prospects James Wood and Dylan Crews. House has a big, physical frame at 6-foot-4 and 208 pounds and possesses 60-grade power with a 55-grade hit tool. If he impresses at Triple-A, House could earn a look at the big leagues at the end of this year, but next year might be the more likely scenario.
Washington Nationals third base prospect Brady House had a stellar start to June while playing for Double-A Harrisburg. From June 1 to 19, he slashed .259/.333/.463 with five doubles, two home runs, and seven RBI. However, he struggled for the rest of the month. Over the last nine games, he slashed .182/.206/.394 with a double, two homers, and six RBI. Overall, House is slashing .236/.310/.434 with 10 doubles, 13 homers, and 34 RBI this season. Washington's No. 3 prospect (per MLB.com) is expected to make his MLB debut sometime next year.
Washington Nationals infield prospect Brady House went 2-for-4 with an RBI for Double-A Harrisburg on Wednesday. The 21-year-old is now hitting .244 with 11 homers and 28 RBI and a .764 OPS for Harrisburg this season. He hit .312 over three levels of the minors in 2023. The Nationals' No. 3 prospect has a big frame at 6-foot-4 and 208 pounds and possesses 60-grade power. The first-round pick of Washington in 2021 has progressed nicely through the minor leagues so far. He has played third base primarily for Harrisburg this season and could put himself on the big-league radar in a few years if he continues his progression through the minors.
Brady House Breaks Cold Streak With Three Hits On Tuesday
Washington Nationals third base/shortstop prospect Brady House went 3-for-4 on Tuesday with two RBI to lead Double-A Harrisburg to a victory. The 20-year-old entered Tuesday sporting a cold .218/.323/.491 slash line with a 7:16 BB:K. However, despite his lack of contact recently, he has tallied five long balls during this stretch. During April, he posted a higher .256 average and even opened the season with a six-game hitting streak. The former No. 11 overall selection in the 2021 MLB draft is considered the No. 3 prospect in the Nationals system on MLB Pipeline and is projected to reach the majors sometime next season. He is worth rostering in deeper dynasty leagues and could be worth adding in keeper leagues if he makes it to Triple-A later this summer.
Washington Nationals third base/shortstop prospect Brady House has performed well in his first extended look at Double-A this season and is making a case to be moved up to Triple-A sooner rather than later. House is currently on a three-game hitting streak and has gone hitless in just one of his past eight games. During this stretch, the 20-year-old has tallied three of his total five home runs. Overall, on the season, the third-ranked prospect in the Washington pipeline has a .266/.361/.479 line. House is projected to reach the majors in 2025 but could make a late-season push to the majors if he continues to hit this well.
José Tena
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Nationals
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