- LHP Jake Bennett
- RHP Riley Cornelio
- OF Christian Franklin
While the usual caveat applies to Bennett (if you’re lefthanded and can throw strikes…) for Cornelio and Franklin, it’s about preserving organizational depth.
Cornelio, 25, has added nearly 3mph to his average fastball as a starter, so it’s not unthinkable that he’d also add another couple of ticks if he were to be used as a reliever.
Franklin, who turns 26 at the end of the month, may have a hard time moving up from the de facto #6 OF slot. But I don’t think I’m jinxing anyone by noting that the primary backups—Daylen Lile and Robert Hassell—have had durability issues while Jacob Young’s value is almost entirely his glove.
Of course, there will be some handwringing over who didn’t get protected: RHP Tyler Stuart, 3B Cayden Wallace, and RHP Marquis Grissom Jr., but I don’t consider any of these gambles. Stuart is hurt. Wallace had one good month at AA. Grissom was unimpressive at AAA.
Next up: The non-tender deadline, for which there is consensus that Riley Adams and Luis García Jr. will be Nationals no more.