The Chicago Cubs traded two prospects to the Washington Nationals in exchange for right-handed starting pitcher Michael Soroka. The 27-year-old gives the Cubs some much-needed depth in the starting rotation and there’s no doubt that the front office believes he’ll perform better with an improved defense behind him. Soroka has also had success as a reliever, putting up some dominant numbers out of the bullpen in 2024.

The price for pitching has always been high and this year’s trade deadline as another stark reminder. On paper Soroka doesn’t seem to provide much value, posting a 4.87 ERA in 16 starts. However, with a change of scenery the Cubs are certainly hoping their gamble will pay off.

Cubs trade Ronny Cruz and Christian Franklin to Nationals

According to MLB Pipeline’s rankings, Ronny Cruz and Christian Franklin were ranked No. 13 and No. 14, respectively in the Cubs’ farm system.

The Cubs are sending Triple-A OF Christian Franklin and 18 year-old INF Ronny Cruz to Washington in the deal for Soroka, sources tell ESPN.
— Jesse Rogers (@JesseRogersESPN) July 31, 2025

A lot of Cubs fans have been freaking out because trading two prospects inside the top-15 of the minor league system seems like a steep price for a rental pitcher that isn’t necessarily a sure-thing. However, for those rankings-obsessed fans, would these make you feel any better?

For those who love prospect rankings:
Baseball America's top-30 Cubs prospects (post-draft update)
Ronny Cruz: No. 17
Christian Franklin: unranked
— Aldo Soto (@AldoSoto21) July 31, 2025

Cruz, despite being the lessor known of the two players because of his proximity to the majors, is the prospect the Nationals were probably holding out for in trade talks with the Cubs. The 18-year-old shortstop was selected in the third round of the 2024 draft, picked 90th overall. He made his minor league debut earlier this year in the Arizona Complex League.

The right-handed hitting infielder has played in 48 games at rookie ball and has a slash line of .270/.314/.431, with two home runs.

Here’s one note from Cruz’s scouting report, leading up to the 2024 MLB Draft that certainly gives the Nationals something to look forward to as the young minor leaguer continues to develop.

“He generated some of the highest exit velocities during BP at the MLB Draft Combine and could produce 25 or more homers on an annual basis once he's fully developed.” -MLB Pipeline on Ronny Cruz, newest Washington Nationals prospect
pic.twitter.com/jCDfQY8rcM
— Paul Cubbage (@PaulCubbage23) July 31, 2025

Franklin, 25, was picked by the Cubs in the fourth round of the 2021 MLB Draft out of Arkansas. He can play all three outfield positions and has shown a great eye at the plate since entering pro ball.

So far in 2025, Franklin has hit .265/.393/.427, in 86 games at Triple-A. The right-handed hitter has posted a 117 wRC+ and has homered eight times, while also stealing 11 bases. Franklin was going to be Rule 5 eligible after this season, meaning if the Cubs did not add him to their 40-man roster he could have been scooped up any of the other 29 teams in the Rule 5 draft.