Nationals' 2026 Draft Pick Suspended for Positive Drug Test

One of the Washington Nationals' selections from the 2026 MLB Draft was suspended by the league on Friday.

Catcher Francisco Rivero was one of two players who was announced as suspended for 56 games following positive tests for a performance enhancing substance under the minor league drug program. Rivero was one of two players to test positive for Stanozolol with the league announcing his suspension will be effective at the start of the 2027 Florida Complex League season.

Rivero, 19, had yet to appear in a game and was on the roster of the rookie-level for the Nationals in the offseason league, marking a blow in his development plan with questions beginning in 2027. He becomes the first National to be suspended for PEDs since catcher Tres Barrera was suspended in July 2020 after testing positive for DHCMT. The Nationals have not issued a statement in light of Rivero's suspension.

The 19 year old arrived within the Nationals' organization straight out of high school after he became an elite prospect at Canyon del Oro (Az.), bypassing his initial commitment to the University of Arizona. News quickly surfaced that Rivero was expected to bypass his college career and sign with the Nationals, though his latest hiccup adds a complication for next steps. Rivero posted two stellar high school seasons after smashing 14 home runs and 74 RBIs with just eight strikeouts across 195 at bats, including six home runs and 34 RBIs while hitting .463 in his final year. He also attended an MLB International Draft Academy prior to attending Canyon del Oro in an effort to become an international amateur free agent before the MLB ruled that he was ineligible, leading him back to the high school route.

Rivero was also ranked as the third best catcher in Arizona and 11th best overall prospect by Perfect Game out of high school, in addition to being named a two time Perfect Game Preseason All American selection and a nine time Perfect Game All Tournament selection. Rivero was also among the top prospects to suit up in the 2025 Perfect Game National Showcase, adding to his profile ahead of draft night.

The news also comes days after minor league catcher Riley Adams declared for free agency in a somewhat surprising move, a decision that came after wrapping up a productive 2026 season in Triple A with the Rochester Red Wings.