Jake Bennett

Organization Prospect Rankings

• 
  Ranked Washington Nationals #6 prospect in 2026
  BA Grade/Risk: 50/Average
  
  Adjusted Grade: 40
  
  Track Record: The Nationals drafted Bennett out of Oklahoma two years after they chose fellow Sooner Cade Cavalli in the first round. Bennett was a second-round pick in 2022 who got into 15 games in 2023 before missing most of July and September and having Tommy John surgery after the season. Bennett missed all of 2024 and returned to the mound in May 2025, ultimately making 19 appearances spanning 75.1 innings. Most of the innings were compiled for Double-A Harrisburg, and he added more in the Arizona Fall League after the season.
  
  Scouting Report: Bennett is a 6-foot-6 lefthander with a wide assortment of pitches that play up because he gets down the mound with plus extension. While he doesn’t blow batters away with raw velocity, Bennett is around the zone with six different pitches he can use to attack both sides of the plate. His four-seam fastball velocity was a tick higher in 2025 than it had been during his pro debut and averaged 92-93 mph and topped out near 96. His low three-quarters arm slot adds deception. He mixes in sinkers and occasional cutters to vary his fastball looks. Bennett’s carrying secondary pitch is his mid-80s changeup that fades to his arm side and flummoxes minor league righthanded batters, who hit .210 with no home runs against him in 2025. He has good touch on an average low-to-mid-80s slider and high-70s curveball, both of which he can spot for strikes and elicit some chases. He throws breaking pitches only about 20% of the time, opting for more of a fastball/changeup attack. Bennett has plus control of his entire arsenal.
  
  The Future: Given his wide repertoire of quality stuff, lefthandedness and feel for the strike zone, Bennett is a no-doubt starter with a good chance to settle in as a No. 4 type in a rotation.
  
  Scouting Grades Fastball: 55 | Curveball: 45 | Slider: 50 | Changeup: 60 | Control: 60.
• 
  Ranked Washington Nationals #13 prospect in 2025
  BA Grade/Risk: 45/High.
  
  Track Record: The similarities between Bennett and fellow Nationals prospect Cade Cavalli are numerous. Both are Tulsa natives who went on to pitch for Oklahoma. Both were drafted by the Nationals—Cavalli in the first round in 2020 and Bennett in the second round in 2022. As they both progressed through the farm system, it seemed like the two would follow each other all the way to Nationals Park. Cavalli had Tommy John surgery early in 2023 and spent most of 2024 rehabbing. Bennett was shut down in August 2023 and had TJ in mid September. He missed the entire 2024 season and was expected to be ready for 2025 spring training.
  
  Scouting Report: Bennett is known for having the best control in the Nationals’ farm system and one of the best changeups. During the 2023 season, he relied heavily on his low-90s two-seam fastball, though he became more comfortable throwing his secondaries throughout the season. His go-to secondary is a plus changeup that was effective against both righties and lefties. He rounds out his repertoire with an average slider that will need continued development. Towards the end of his 2023 campaign, Bennett was having trouble holding his velocity as he pitched deeper into games. The organization believes that problem will be completely eradicated by his Tommy John surgery—and he may even see a boost in velocity.
  
  The Future: Bennett should get back on the mound in spring training. He showed tremendous promise before the surgery, so the organization is hoping he gets right back on track.
  
  Scouting Grades: Fastball: 55 | Slider: 50 | Changeup: 60 | Control: 55.
• 
  Ranked Washington Nationals #13 prospect in 2024
  BA Grade: 45/High
  
  Track Record: Bennett’s development path is eerily similar to fellow Nationals pitching prospect Cade Cavalli. Both are Tulsa natives who went on to pitch for Oklahoma. Bennett again followed Cavalli into the Nationals farm system when the organization selected him in the second round of the 2022 draft. Bennett had a successful pro debut in 2023, owning a 3.14 ERA across the Nationals’ two Class A affiliates. Unfortunately for the Nationals, the similarities between the two Oklahoma pitchers continued when Bennett was shut down in August and had Tommy John surgery in mid September.
  
  Scouting Report: Bennett primarily attacks hitters with his fastball, which he threw more than 60% of the time in 2023. He relies on a low-90s two-seamer that has nearly 14 inches of horizontal break and projects as an above-average pitch. He became more comfortable deploying and commanding his secondaries throughout the season. Bennett’s go-to secondary is a plus changeup that he consistently throws for strikes and is effective against both righties and lefties. He rounds out his arsenal with an average slider that lacks consistency. Bennett’s command improved throughout the 2023 season, though he has a slight head whack in his delivery that he needs to iron out. Despite his considerable frame, Bennett struggled to hold his velocity deeper into outings.
  
  The Future: The southpaw is sidelined for the entirety of the 2024 campaign. Bennett projects as a back-of-the-rotation starter, barring any setbacks with his recovery.
  
  Scouting Grades Fastball: 55 | Slider: 50 | Changeup: 60 | Control: 55
• 
  Ranked Washington Nationals #11 prospect in 2023
  BA Grade/Risk: 50/High
  
  Track Record: The Nationals originally drafted Bennett as a 39th-round pick in 2019 out of high school. He turned down the offer and headed to Oklahoma, where he pitched with current Nationals top pitching prospect and former high school teammate, Cade Cavalli. Bennett is a lefthander with strong control who attacked the zone in college and was instrumental in the Sooners' 2022 College World Series finals appearance. At 6-foot-6, the southpaw has mastered a smooth and athletic approach on the mound. The Nationals drafted him in the second round in 2022 and signed him for slot value of just over $1.7 million.
  
  Scouting Report: Bennett pitches with a three-pitch mix that is led by a fastball that sits in the 91-94 mph range. The pitch has played up with good deception and extension out in front. His changeup is his go-to secondary, and for good reason. It's a true plus pitch that sits between 82-85 mph and is especially effective against righthanded hitters. He rounds out his arsenal with his slider, which lacks the consistency of the other two pitches. Bennett is much more effective against righthanded hitters than same-side ones, thanks to his plus changeup. He relies on control to get outs, which allows him to limit walks. He might not be a hard thrower, but he will collect outs and continue to be a workhorse.
  
  The Future: The southpaw has a chance to become a No. 4 or 5 starter for the Nationals. He will make his pro debut in 2023.
  
  Scouting Grades: Fastball: 55. Slider: 50 Changeup: 60 Control: 55

Draft Prospects

• Ranked #41 prospect in 2022 draft
  School: Oklahoma Committed/Drafted: Nationals ’19 (39)
  Age At Draft: 21.6
  BA Grade: 50/High
  Scouting Grades: Fastball: 55 | Curveball: - | Slider: 55 | Changeup: 50 | Cutter: | Control: 50
  Bennett has been a big part of the Sooners’ strong 2022 campaign. The 6-foot-6 234-pound lefty has performed his way up draft boards this spring and has been a model of consistency for head coach Skip Johnson. Bennett is very efficient in his delivery. He has a bit of a longer takeback with some wrap and is on time with his front foot plant, releasing from a low three-quarters slot. With good extension out front, Bennett adds deception to his 91-94 mph fastball that can get up to 95. He likes to work both sides of the plate, and notches plenty of punchouts up in the zone, especially early in outings when his arm is fresh. Along with his fastball, he has a sweeping slider thrown in the 82-85 mph range that presents quite a problem for lefthanded hitters. Bennett has the ability to vary the break depending on the count, making it difficult for lefthanded hitters to lay off of it when it begins on the inner half and rides out of the zone. He will mix it in to righthanded hitters as well, busting them in on the hands when executed properly. He mostly throws his 82-84 mph changeup to righthanded hitters. Bennett is very effective locating the changeup on the outer rail, resulting in a lot of rollover swings and weak groundouts to the left side of the infield. In previous years, Bennett’s command had a tendency to come and go, which would get him in trouble at times with the self-inflicted busy innings. However, this spring has been a different story. He only surrendered 18 walks in his first 90 innings pitched while his strikeout total drastically increased, surpassing the century mark on the year during the Big 12 Tournament. Bennett joins a long line of Oklahoma pitchers that have transitioned from a talented thrower to a more polished pitcher under Johnson’s watch. The organization that drafts Bennett will be getting a mature arm who’s made the proper adjustments during his time in college.
• Ranked #393 prospect in 2019 draft
  An Oklahoma signee, the 6-foot-5 Bennett has a big frame and attacks hitters from a crossfire delivery. He has touched 90-91 mph in a few outings but generally sits in the upper 80s. His arm is a little slow, leading to concerns that he won't add much velocity. His slider is below-average.

• February, 2023 Scouting Report
  BA Grade/Risk: 50/High
  
  Track Record: The Nationals originally drafted Bennett as a 39th-round pick in 2019 out of high school. He turned down the offer and headed to Oklahoma, where he pitched with current Nationals top pitching prospect and former high school teammate, Cade Cavalli. Bennett is a lefthander with strong control who attacked the zone in college and was instrumental in the Sooners' 2022 College World Series finals appearance. At 6-foot-6, the southpaw has mastered a smooth and athletic approach on the mound. The Nationals drafted him in the second round in 2022 and signed him for slot value of just over $1.7 million.
  
  Scouting Report: Bennett pitches with a three-pitch mix that is led by a fastball that sits in the 91-94 mph range. The pitch has played up with good deception and extension out in front. His changeup is his go-to secondary, and for good reason. It's a true plus pitch that sits between 82-85 mph and is especially effective against righthanded hitters. He rounds out his arsenal with his slider, which lacks the consistency of the other two pitches. Bennett is much more effective against righthanded hitters than same-side ones, thanks to his plus changeup. He relies on control to get outs, which allows him to limit walks. He might not be a hard thrower, but he will collect outs and continue to be a workhorse.
  
  The Future: The southpaw has a chance to become a No. 4 or 5 starter for the Nationals. He will make his pro debut in 2023.
  
  Scouting Grades: Fastball: 55. Slider: 50 Changeup: 60 Control: 55
• December, 2022 Scouting Report
  BA Grade/Risk: 50/High
  
  Track Record: The Nationals originally drafted Bennett as a 39th-round pick in 2019 out of high school. He turned down the offer and headed to Oklahoma, where he pitched with current Nationals top pitching prospect and former high school teammate, Cade Cavalli. Bennett is a lefthander with strong control who attacked the zone in college and was instrumental in the Sooners' 2022 College World Series finals appearance. At 6-foot-6, the southpaw has mastered a smooth and athletic approach on the mound. The Nationals drafted him in the second round in 2022 and signed him for slot value of just over $1.7 million.
  
  Scouting Report: Bennett pitches with a three-pitch mix that is led by a fastball that sits in the 91-94 mph range. The pitch has played up with good deception and extension out in front. His changeup is his go-to secondary, and for good reason. It's a true plus pitch that sits between 82-85 mph and is especially effective against righthanded hitters. He rounds out his arsenal with his slider, which lacks the consistency of the other two pitches. Bennett is much more effective against righthanded hitters than same-side ones, thanks to his plus changeup. He relies on control to get outs, which allows him to limit walks. He might not be a hard thrower, but he will collect outs and continue to be a workhorse.
  
  The Future: The southpaw has a chance to become a No. 4 or 5 starter for the Nationals. He will make his pro debut in 2023.
  
  Scouting Grades: Fastball: 55. Slider: 50 Changeup: 60 Control: 55
• December, 2018 Scouting Report
  An Oklahoma signee, the 6-foot-5 Bennett has a big frame and attacks hitters from a crossfire delivery. He has touched 90-91 mph in a few outings but generally sits in the upper 80s. His arm is a little slow, leading to concerns that he won't add much velocity. His slider is below-average.