Mason Denaburg looked the part as he walked onto the field during Washington Nationals batting practice Tuesday at Nationals Park. The 18-year-old right-handed pitcher, the Nationals’ first-round selection in this year’s MLB draft from Merritt Island (Fla.) High School, wore a blue suit with a red tie standing out against his white shirt as he gazed out at the pitcher’s mound he could one day command.
Denaburg can touch 97 mph with his fastball and has the off-speed repertoire to back it up. He played baseball, soccer and football in high school. His favorite athlete wasn’t from any of those three.