After a strong start to spring training, one outlet explains why infielder Brady House is the Washington Nationals' breakout candidate in 2026
The Washington Nationals picked up their fourth consecutive win on Wednesday afternoon after defeating the St. Louis Cardinals, 3-1.
The Nationals will look to stay hot when they take on the Houston Astros for the fifth time in spring training on Thursday evening, but it's also one step closer toward manager Blake Butera finalizing the roster ahead of his first year leading the organization.
The Nationals underwent their third round of roster cuts last week with reliever Riley Cornelio among the batch of cuts, while the front office adding a second experienced arm to the rotation with Zack Littell in the fold and now set to make his Nationals debut on Friday.
While Washington also enters the 2026 season with familiar names like James Wood, CJ Abrams and Daylen Lile leading the way, ESPN also pointed to third baseman Brady House as the breakout candidate on early outlook of the Nationals' 2026 roster.
"I've been a believer in House's enormous tools since early in his high school career, though he hasn't always had the necessary pitch selection for his natural ability to be reflected on the scoresheet," ESPN wrote. "Abimelec Ortiz and Harry Ford are solid bets to break into the lineup at some point in the first half with medium upside. Luis Perales has strong stuff and could break through with more command."
It might not be the craziest prediction for the Nationals given House has shined through his eight appearances in spring training. House has posted nine hits in 21 at bats so far in spring training, including three home runs to-date. House opened spring training with a bang after his two home runs fueled a 16-8 win over the Miami Marlins in the opener back on Feb. 22, also recording the first runs for the Nationals in spring training. He's also notched four doubles so far in spring training.
House noted that he put an emphasis on becoming "aggressive in a way, but patient" as a hitter during his offseason training, setting the stage for a potential breakout season in 2026.
In 73 games during the 2025 season, House finished with 78 strikeouts and hit .234, but his three home runs in eight games in spring training is the most impressive given he is coming off a season with just four home runs.
Strikeouts are still a problem with already eight through 21 at bats, one season after stirking out in nearly 30% of hit at bats. Still, it's been an encouraging start for the 22 year old who has proven to showcase power at the plate.
“I think that it was good to kind of get out there and test what we've been working on this offseason, and just getting some results from the at bats - good and bad - and things that we can work on and things that went good,” House said on 106.7 earlier this month. “So, yeah, it's good to kind of just get out there and see what you've been working on, seeing how it plays.”