Rank History
| Year | Team | Position | Team Rank | OFP |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | WAS | RHP | 7 | 45 |
Grades Update: Jan 2021
| OFP | Role | FB | CB | CH | Cnt/Cmd |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 45 | 40 | 55 | 55 | 45 | 45/40 |
Jan 2021 Report
Evaluator: James Chipman
Age: 21 yr
Height: 6-4
Weight: 200 lbs
Hits/Throws: R/R
Acquired: 2018 Round 1
RuleV: 2022
Physical Description: Ideal pitchers build. XL frame: every bit of listed 6'4" 200 pounds. Broad shoulders that slope; average upper body and core; high waist and long limbs. Above-average athleticism: multi-sport athlete in HS. Minimal physical projection remaining. Injury history includes: biceps tendinitis (2018) and shoulder surgery (2019).
Delivery & Mechanics: Semi-windup; tall and fall operation. High 3/4 arm slot with above-average arm speed and a high effort delivery. Arm slot wanders, occasionally dropping down a tick to a standard 3/4. High leg kick; exposes the ball behind his back; long arm path; short stride; average extension; lead arm pulls torso open early; recoil after release a bit violent; hard landings first-base side. Frame and slot generate natural downward plane. Rushes and loses tempo often; overall easy mechanics, just struggles to repeat.
Fastball: Sat 90-94 prior to shoulder injury; regularly showed the ability to hit upper-90s prior to the draft. Shows imposing arm-side run and the ability to miss bats at its best. With below-average command and two years of lost development, regaining velo will be paramount. Grade: 55
Curveball: Shows flashes of a high spin rate, above-average breaking ball that sits 78-82. Arm slot wanders a bit, yielding both 11/5 and 10/4 shape. At its best around 78-80 when it shows tight rotation with 11/5 depth and sharp bite. Gets firm and slurvy in the low-80s. Shows the ability to mix it early in the count for called strikes; tough on RHB as a swing-and-miss put-away offering. Further pro instruction should yield a solid big league offering. Grade: 55
Changeup: Sits 82-85; Firm tumbler; mild fade with solid late vertical drop. Not a bat-misser; ground ball pitch with off-barrel contact. Has moderate feel and maintains arm speed; showed below-average command. Development will ultimately influence big league role. Grade: 45
Control and Command: Shows flashes of fluid well repeated mechanics that yield near average command. More often than not, issues repeating yield spotty command. Has the attributes of solid pitchabilty: pitching backwards and attacks all four quads. Sequencing occasionally predictable as he's heavy FB/CB. Will nibble hunting for strikeouts, resulting in long at-bats and free passes. Without significant gains, the short arsenal and limited command profile probably better suits him for a reliever role. Control: 45 | Command: 40
Overall: Denaburg has the size and raw arsenal to project as high as a first-division middle of the rotation stalwart. Unfortunately, injuries have limited Denaburg to just 20 1/3 IP since being drafted in 2018; clouding his future projection. The development of his CH and evolution of his command will be paramount for him to carve out a role in a big league rotation. His biggest battle however will be simply getting and remaining healthy as recurrent shoulder issues are a huge red flag. I'm bearish until he proves the shoulder issues are truly behind him. That being said, a healthy and productive 2021 season could elevate his stock back into role 50 or better territory.
OFP: 45
Role: 40 - Spot Starter or Low Leverage Reliever
Risk: Extreme
