On Tuesday, the Washington Nationals announced their intention to protect prospects Jake Bennett, Christian Franklin, and Riley Cornelio from the Rule-5 Draft. This move by the Nats suggests the front office views these three players as future 40-man roster candidates. Each of these prospects could contribute at the Major League level, but they are at different stages of development. <\/p>\n
Jake Bennett<\/p>\n
Jake Bennett<\/a> is a left-handed pitcher from the University of Oklahoma. Standing at 6-foot-6, 234 pounds, Bennett is currently the Nats’ tenth-ranked prospect<\/a> in the minor league system. He was selected in the second round of the 2022 MLB Draft and had an excellent debut season in 2023. <\/p>\n In 15 appearances, he recorded a 3.14 ERA with 73 strikeouts in 63 innings before Tommy John surgery ended his season. Bennett missed the 2024 season while recovering from the injury. He returned in 2025 and recorded a 2.27 ERA in 75.1 innings pitched. His WHIP was 1.08, and he walked just 19 batters. <\/p>\n Bennett finished the season in AA Harrisburg for his final ten appearances of the season. I would anticipate Jake participating in Major League Spring Training with a very slim chance of making the team. He needs more time in the minor leagues to build up his elbow post-Tommy John surgery. If he continues to produce at the same level as in 2025, a call to the big leagues could be in the cards for Bennett in 2026.<\/p>\n Christian Franklin<\/p>\n Acquired at the trade deadline from the Chicago Cubs<\/a> and now the Nats’ 12th-ranked prospect, Christian Franklin<\/a> is a unique talent in the outfield. Similar to previously mentioned Bennett, Franklin also missed a year of development due to injury. In 2022, Franklin suffered a torn patellar tendon, which kept him out that season. <\/p>\n Franklin didn’t skip a beat in his return from injury, posting a .828 OPS in 2023 with 12 home runs and 56 RBI. He had an interesting 2024 season in which his power numbers weren’t as strong, but his on-base percentage increased, and he stole 34 bases. In 2025, he put it all together, hitting 12 home runs while driving in 64 runs with a .817 OPS. Franklin drew an impressive 80 walks and stole 19 bases. <\/p>\n Entering his age-26 season, Christian Franklin is an exciting player for the Washington Nationals. Where exactly could he fit in the Nats’ outfield? Between James Wood, Dylan Crews, Daylen Lile, Robert Hassell III, and Jacob Young, the Nats have a crowded outfield. It wouldn’t shock me to see the Nats explore the trade market for Young. <\/p>\n His potential is a fourth outfielder off the bench, and contending teams value players like that. A trade involving Young would give room for Christian Franklin to be the fourth outfielder. 2026 Spring Training could be a big month for the skilled outfielder.<\/p>\n Riley Cornelio<\/p>\n