Washington's Newest Arms Should Excite
Written By: Doubledays Staff Writer Chris TrilThe Washington Nationals took the potential of a prep arm with their first pick of the 2018 MLB June Amateur Draft, choosing Florida commit Mason Denaburg (RHP) with the 27th overall pick. A two-sport athlete at Merritt Island High School, Denaburg possesses three Major
Written By: Doubledays Staff Writer Chris Tril
The Washington Nationals took the potential of a prep arm with their first pick of the 2018 MLB June Amateur Draft, choosing Florida commit Mason Denaburg (RHP) with the 27th overall pick. A two-sport athlete at Merritt Island High School, Denaburg possesses three Major League quality pitches, including a mid-90s fastball that can touch 97 mph. Denaburg wrapped up his senior season with five wins in 35.1 IP, striking out 73 batters and holding opponents to a .167 batting average for a 0.99 ERA.
With their long-term project taken in the first round, the Nationals aimed for more polish in the second by taking college lefty Tim Cate out of the University of Connecticut with the 65th overall pick. Cate brings experience to the table, pitching three seasons at UConn and playing two summers for Team USA. He owns a collegiate 2.99 ERA with a K/9 of 11.53 thanks to a solid fastball and what is arguably the nastiest curveball in the entire 2018 draft.
Though both of Washington's picks come with extreme upside, they also come with their fair share of injury concerns. Denaburg suffered from bicep tendonitis his senior season and Cate, a Tommy John surgery recipient in high school, dealt with forearm tightness this Spring. The Nationals, however, have shown that they aren't afraid to take on that risk for a chance to land a high upside pitcher, with
Eight of Washington's first nine picks in last year's draft - all pitchers - began their professional careers in Auburn.