Washington Nationals’ 2021 1st Round pick Brady House making strong first impression

WASHINGTON - In the 1980s, Jeff Garber was a shortstop at Division I James Madison University in Virginia before he was drafted in the 10th round by the Royals in 1988.

Now the long-time instructor in player development with the Nationals is getting to work with Brady House, a shortstop who was the first-round selection by Washington earlier this year.

“He has good feet and his range is very good,” Garber, who has worked with infielders for more than 10 years, told Federal Baseball about House.

“He is very athletic out there with a strong, accurate arm.”

On offense, House hit .379 with three homers in his first 29 at-bats in Florida, with an eye-popping OPS of 1.248.

He turned 18 in June and was drafted out of Winder-Barrow High in Georgia.

Garber is a former minor league player and manager with the Royals who has worked with several shortstops since joining Washington more than 10 years ago.

That includes Trea Turner, who came to the Nationals in a trade with the San Diego Padres.

But it’s young players where Garber is used in player development with the Nationals - and his largest project is new pros such as House.

“He has played very well so far,” Garber said.

House signed with Washington on July 30. He was assigned to the Nationals’ system on Aug. 17 and then reported to the Florida Complex League team six days later.