Washington Nationals: Mason Denaburg repays parents with a special gift

Mason Denaburg was the Washington Nationals first round pick in 2018. Because of this, he was able to provide his parents with a special gift this Christmas.

Back in June this year, the Washington Nationals selected Mason Denaburg in the first round of the MLB Draft. Now, he’s already putting that $3 million signing bonus to awesome use by giving his parents a well-deserved Christmas present this winter.

The right-hander signed out of Merritt Island High School and was part of the Perfect Game USA before the draft process. That meant trips to ballparks around the country, from San Diego to Chicago and his parents were a huge part of that.

Not only have Mason’s parents, Dan and Connie, trekked from state to state with the current Nats prospect, but they’ve also had a full complement of gifted athletes. Mason’s older sister Karly plays soccer at North Greenville University, his other sister Lexy is committed to play beach volleyball and UCLA, and youngest child Brady is following Mason’s lead excelling in baseball at Merritt Island HS.

You can see the emotional video that Denaburg posted last night below, where his mom Connie reads out the message.

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The card from the Nats right-hander reads as follows:

"Mom and Dad, you guys are my heroes.I’m sure you guys both are really confused about this letter, but by the end, it will all make sense. It’s been a little bit of delayed process because I was trying to figure out some stuff.I just want to start out by saying how grateful and appreciative I am of you guys. I really don’t know where I would be in my life if it weren’t for you both.When I was a child, you gave me every opportunity in the world that I wanted, whether it was baseball, football, soccer or motocross. You guys made it happen. And more importantly, you made the same thing happen for Carly, Lexy, and Brady.Dad, I’m so thankful for you and the number of selfless acts that you have done, just to make our lives better. Showing me how to push myself harder than ever when nobody was looking. Teaching me how to treat others the way you want to be treated, and just being the best role model, and best friend a son could ever ask for. Driving round old beat up F150s, just so me and Lexy and Carly could drive nice cars to high school.Thank you for being so strong throughout this whole situation and never once bringing it up to us or any of our kids. Thank you for following me all around the country and making me believe in myself like you believed in me.You have been the most positive influence in our lives and have kept our family together through thick and thin. You guys have shown me what it means to give up everything in life just to make your kids’ lives better than you had it.With that being said, I have paid off your loans from the bank. After all the sacrifices you guys have made for us growing up, this is the least I can do for both of you.Now all the late nights staying up and stressing are over. Everything you guys have spent on us is incomparable to anything I could ever give back to you both.We all you love you so much and I’m so thankful for you guys. Now let’s have the best year ever.Mason"

Denaburg’s gesture follows in the footsteps of his fellow first round pick, Brady Singer, who was selected by the Kansas City Royals in 2018. Singer was also able to pay off his parent’s debts and also posted an equally emotional video to Twitter a few days ago.

If this is a new trend, then long may it continue as it’s certainly an awesome one to see, with young pros still having that sense of responsibility and love for their family. Parents really can be the unsung heroes in getting talented players to the next level, with so much love and dedication put into seeing their kids succeed.

Denaburg’s parents are no different to that, and it must’ve been a great moment for the whole family when he was drafted. He brought the whole family along to Nats Park in June when he was introduced to the media, just going to show how close the Denaburgs are and how much Mason’s gesture will undoubtedly mean to his parents.

The Washington Nationals have not only got a talent on the field in Mason Denaburg but they’ve clearly got a player who’s a credit to himself off the field. We’re sure he’ll be dominating on the mound in the Nats organization in 2019 with a little extra motivation.