In addition to expressing his intentions with signing with the Washington Nationals, first-round pick Brady House is determined to stay at shortstop. At 6-foot-4 and 215 pounds, scouts have projected House would transition to third base. But it appears he has other plans.
House’s selection already has drawn mixed emotions from Nationals fans. While many have grasp the unlimited ceiling the Winder-Barrow High School (GA) slugger possesses, there is concern drafting House may lead to the Nationals not re-signing current shortstop Trea Turner.
Turner has developed into a cornerstone player alongside outfielder Juan Soto. This season, Turner has proved his strong year during the pandemic-shortened 2020 season was no fluke. He’s earned his first All-Star Game selection. And it’s very much deserving.
Entering the All-Star break, Turner is hitting .318/.365/.520 with 17 home runs and 42 RBIs in 85 games. He also has 19 stolen bases on 22 attempts. While he is only 28 years of age, he is only under contract one more season through 2022 with the Nationals.
He’s inching closer to free agency being just another year under team control. There’s little doubt Turner has earned a large payday on his next deal. The Nationals have reportedly already talked to Turner about an extension. However, Washington’s ownership the Lerner family has a history of not paying their homegrown position players.
The Nationals let Bryce Harper walk to NL East rival the Philadelphia Phillies in 2019. Harper got his $300 million-plus deal. But, the gamble worked out for Washington, as they plugged his departure with the up-and-coming duo of Juan Soto and Victor Robles. Then the club went on to win a World Series title in 2019.
The Lerners opted not to pay third baseman Anthony Rendon following their run to a championship despite the third baseman being considered the best position player on the team at the time. Rendon signed with the Los Angles Angels for $245 million, and the Nats tried to move on with prospect Carter Kieboom.
Unfortunately, Kieboom has struggled and is currently in the minor league leaving Washington with a glaring hole at third base.
At 18 years of age, it’s hard to believe House would be ready by 2023 to replace Turner in case of a potential departure. Making it puzzling to consider drafting House means the Nationals are planning ahead for not giving Turner an extension. But it’s the Lerners, so anything is possible.
Already, the Nationals brass appear to be throwing out fillers about House ultimately replacing Turner.
It’s logical for fans to hope long-term House will fill the hole at third base. Adding an extension to Turner would sure up the right side of the infield for the foreseeable future. Kieboom has been unable to own the third base spot.
It also makes sense for House to get exposure at both shortstop and third in the minors. When he is ready, they can scan the landscape of where Turner is in age and prime or if third base is still a need.
But GM Mike Rizzo’s message has been clear the Nationals have no intentions of giving up on the struggling Kieboom. Recent history with handling contract negotiations surely leaves the door wide open for a potential plan of House ultimately replacing Turner, no matter how long it takes House to be ready.
