Nats’ first-round pick House signs, reports for instructs originally appeared on NBC Sports Washington
On the same day the Nationals shifted the direction of their organization by trading many household names for a crop of prospects, the club also signed 2021 first-round pick Brady House to his rookie deal to ensure the young shortstop is part of their plans moving forward.
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House, who was originally committed to Tennessee, joins the Nationals out of Winder-Barrow High School in Georgia. After attending Friday night’s game against the Chicago Cubs, he reported to the team’s spring training facility Saturday in West Palm Beach, Fla. to begin working with their player development staff.
“I’m still going to try my best to stay at shortstop,” House told reporters Saturday, reinforcing his stated desire from draft night to stick at his natural position. “I feel like if I can stay at shortstop, I basically can play anywhere else on the field.”
According to Baseball America’s Carlos Collazo, the Nationals signed House to a $5 million signing bonus, which comes in $452,500 over slot value for the No. 11 pick. Washington also gave an over-slot bonus to second-rounder Daylen Lile, a high school outfielder from Kentucky who’s played in tournaments with House before.
With House locked up, the Nationals have inked all their picks from the first 10 rounds of their 2021 draft class to rookie deals. All but three of their 20 draftees have been signed. In addition to 20th-round pick Elie Kligman, who announced Wednesday that he would be honoring his commitment to Wake Forest, the Nationals are closing in on Sunday’s 5 p.m. ET deadline with 11th-rounder Marc Davis and 13th-rounder Mack Anglin still unsigned.
