2026 is shaping up to be a pivotal year for Brady House. As he steps into the role of the starting third baseman, the pressure is on to elevate his performance at the plate. His Spring Training debut was nothing short of electrifying, with the 22-year-old launching two impressive home runs.
Power is the name of the game for House, and it's something that was lacking during his initial MLB stint. With only four homers in 73 games last season, he needs to tap into that power potential. House's chase and whiff tendencies limit his on-base potential, so slugging is essential.
For those who've followed House, his ability to hit for power is no secret. His exit velocities in Triple-A were off the charts, and he showed flashes of that power in the majors. Last year in Triple-A, he belted 13 homers in 65 games with a slugging percentage north of .500.
While House's defense at third is solid, his offensive numbers need a boost. A .574 OPS won't cut it at the MLB level.
Elevating his power game seems to be the key, though refining his approach at the plate is also crucial. Developing a keen eye might not be in the cards, but harnessing his raw power certainly is.
His first homer of the spring came off none other than former Cy Young winner Sandy Alcantara, proving he can compete against top-tier pitching. The question is, how can House consistently unleash that power?
The talent is there for a 25-homer season, but he needs to elevate the ball more consistently. Last year's ground ball rate of 46.3% needs to drop as he transitions to more line drives and fly balls.
House's contact quality leaves little room for error, so he must focus on getting those well-struck balls airborne. While pulling the ball in the air more often could help, it's not a necessity. His raw power allows him to hit to all fields, as evidenced by his homers to right center.
If House can maintain this momentum through Spring Training and into the regular season, it could be transformative for the Nationals. An average bat from House would deepen and strengthen the lineup significantly.
Historically, House has shown improvement in his second go-round at a new level. In 2024, he struggled after moving up to Triple-A, but by 2025, he was hitting .304 with an .872 OPS.
That earned him a major league call-up, but the adjustment was tough. This year, with some big league experience under his belt, there's hope for a breakthrough.
Despite his challenges with plate discipline, House has managed to maintain higher-than-expected batting averages in the minors due to his hard-hitting ability. Even during his rocky MLB debut, he managed a .234 average. But to truly succeed, he needs to raise that average since walks aren't a big part of his game.
The ideal scenario for House would be hitting around .260-.265 with 25 homers, a .310 OBP, and an OPS in the mid-.700s. Combined with his defensive prowess, that would make him an invaluable player.
The main objective this year is to translate his raw power into consistent game power. Starting off Spring Training with two homers is certainly a promising sign.