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.
Jake Bennett
Jake Bennett 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 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.
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.
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.
Christian Franklin
Acquired at the trade deadline from the Chicago Cubs and now the Nats' 12th-ranked prospect, Christian Franklin 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.
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.
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.
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.
Riley Cornelio
Drafted in the seventh round of the 2022 MLB Draft from TCU, Riley Cornelio made it to AAA in the 2025 season and earned himself protection from the Rule 5 Draft. Across three levels in '25, Cornelio posted a 3.28 ERA in 134.1 innings pitched with a 1.15 WHIP. He struck out 135 batters and walked just 55. He turns 26 in the middle of the 2026 season and projects as a back-end of the rotation starting pitcher.
Cornelio played for three seasons at TCU and pitched in 24 games. In his first professional season, he recorded a 4.68 ERA in 22 games pitched for A Fredericksburg. In 2024, he posted a 5.56 ERA over 26 games pitched. Cornelio stayed the course and vastly improved in 2025. His performance earned the "Nationals Minor League Pitcher of the Year" award.
While Cornelio was unknown among Nats fans entering 2025, he's made his presence felt. The right-hander will likely be in West Palm Beach for Major League Spring Training, but I'd anticipate him being a long shot to make the team. If he begins the season pitching well at AAA Rochester, Cornelio could force his way into the Major Leagues in 2026.