Red Sox trade one of top pitching prospects for Nats young lefty

The Purple Sox pulled off a uncommon prospect-for-prospect swap on Monday evening. 

In a 1-on-1 commerce with Washington, Boston traded away right-handed prospect Luis Perales to the Nationals in alternate for lefty pitcher Jake Bennett. 

Whereas neither Perales nor Bennett have pitched within the large leagues, Monday’s transfer does stand as a chance for each the Purple Sox and Nationals by way of shifting on from high-upside arms earlier than they make a push for MLB reps. 

“We really feel like Bennett is a excessive chance starter that excels in some issues which are arduous to show,” Breslow stated, per MassLive’s Chris Cotillo. “Fastball playability pushed by above common extension and strike throwing capability. His whiff charges and talent to handle arduous contact have us assured in his capability to be a serious league starter.”

Bennett, 25, was tabbed as Washington’s No. 6 prospect by Baseball America. The 6-foot-6, 245-pound lefty missed all the 2024 resulting from Tommy John surgical procedure, however did pitch throughout three ranges of competitors in the course of the 2025 marketing campaign. 

A 2022 second-round select of Oklahoma, Bennett sported a 2.27 ERA and a 1.08 WHIP throughout 19 video games final 12 months — ending his season in Double-A. Over 75.1 innings final 12 months, Bennett struck out 64 batters whereas issuing 19 walks.

Perales, 23, can also be coming off Tommy John surgical procedure that saved him off the mound till September. However the 22-year-old righty was valued as one in all Boston’s high younger arms alongside Payton Tolle and Connelly Early — rating because the Purple Sox’s No. 5 prospect, per Baseball America.

Perales rapidly rose by means of the ranks of Boston’s farm system, reaching Double-A in 2024 earlier than going underneath the knife. Through the Arizona Fall League, Perales reached triple digits together with his fastball, however struggled together with his command — issuing 11 walks in 11.1 innings of labor. 

Monday’s deal marked the newest pitching-focused deal orchestrated by Breslow and the Purple Sox — with Boston buying Sonny Grey and Johan Oviedo in separate trades over the previous few weeks. 

 

Conor Ryan is a workers author overlaying the Bruins, Celtics, Patriots, and Purple Sox for Boston.com, a job he has held since 2023.