Mason

Denaburg

Both Kieboom and Denaburg were once first-round picks for the Nationals but neither of them has panned out. Kieboom did hit .265 in 91 games in Triple-A this season with seven home runs and a 13 percent walk rate, so he will likely get a minor league contract with another organization this off-season.

Denaburg was the Nationals first-round pick in the 2018 draft who has missed time due to multiple injuries, including shoulder surgery in 2019. The 21-year-old throws a mid to upper 90’s fastball with a developing curveball and change. The talent is there, but Denaburg has been limited to just 20 1/3 innings due to setbacks and will now be out at least until mid-2022.

Denaburg had to slow things down in the spring, but he’s back on track now. “I should be throwing bullpens in the next three weeks,” said Denaburg. “I go 150 feet throwing-wise, the next week 180 feet and then the week after that long toss, hopefully. If they approve of it, then I have that, which is really good.” A first-round pick for Washington in 2018, the 20-year-old Denaburg was limited to just 20 1/3 innings in rookie ball last year due to shoulder issues. This is another strange year in regard development, but the Nationals still have high hopes for him.

Selected in the first round in 2018, the 20-year-old Denaburg was limited to just 20 1/3 innings in rookie ball last year due to shoulder issues and required a cleanup procedure during the offseason, but Nationals minor league pitching coordinator Brad Holman said he was recently throwing from 90 feet. He was expected to continue his rehab during the shutdown in order to get back in game situations once baseball resumes. Denaburg is ranked No. 7 on the Nationals’ prospect list according to MLB Pipeline.

Denaburg was in D.C. on Monday for a physical to finalize the agreement. According to Chelsea Janes of the Washington Post, the Nats signed him above the assigned slot value of $2.4 million. Denaburg was selected out of Merritt Island HS (Fla.) with the 27th pick of last month’s draft. His stock dropped a bit because of a bicep injury this spring, but he possesses a big arm.

Denaburg was limited this spring because of a biceps issue, but when healthy, the 18-year-old right-hander has shown some of the best stuff and athleticism of any hurler in this class. His fastball touches the high 90s, and his curveball flashes plus. He needs to improve his change and throw more consistent strikes, but if he can, he’s a starter. There’s substantial upside in Denaburg’s right arm.