3 weeks agoIf Washington Nationals outfielder
Jacob Young struggles early in 2025, MASN's Mark Zuckerman believes that he could be in danger of losing the job to outfield prospect
Robert Hassell III. Hassell, a former eighth overall pick by the San Diego Padres in 2020, is considered the team's No. 12 prospect, per MLB Pipeline. The 23-year-old has turned heads so far in Grapefruit League play, hitting .360 (9-for-25) with a homer, three doubles, five RBI and two stolen bases in 10 games after he hit .241/.319/.328 with five homers, 28 RBI and 15 steals at High-A Wilmington, Double-A Harrisburg and Triple-A Rochester in 2024. While he's looked good this spring, it's a small sample size, and the Nats will likely want to see him hit better at Rochester to begin the 2025 season before they even consider him for his first MLB call-up. Hassell is merely a dynasty stash for the time being.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: MASN Sports - Mark Zuckerman
1 month agoWashington Nationals outfield prospect
Robert Hassell III has been swinging a hot bat to start spring training. Through four games, Hassell has gone 5-for-11 at the plate with two doubles and a home run. He has tallied five RBI, scored three runs, and swiped a bag. He has only struck out twice. Hassell was initially drafted by the San Diego Padres with the eighth overall pick in the 2020 MLB Draft but was shipped to Washington in the
Juan Soto trade during the 2022 campaign. The 23-year-old has spent most of the past two seasons at the Double-A level, where he posted a .238/.328/.334 line across 193 contests. However, last summer, the outfielder was promoted to the Triple-A level, where he tallied just eight hits and two home runs across 17 games. He will likely begin the 2025 season at Triple-A and could push for a late-season debut.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
11 months agoWashington Nationals outfielder
Robert Hassell III is a former first-round pick who was flipped to Washington during the trade that made
Juan Soto a Padre. The talented left-hander gets good speed behind each of his swings while still making sure to keep his swing under control, perfect his timing, and put the bat on the ball. Concerns about his tendency to strike out seem to have dissipated recently. He's also a good defender, showcasing the potential to play center field for a long time thanks to his range and glovework. He has the arm strength to shift to right field as necessary. Hassell enjoyed plenty of success last week, going 12-for-24 (.500) with two homers, five RBI, one walk, and three strikeouts. He was also a thief on the basepaths, swiping three bags on three attempts. He closed out the week with a three-game stolen base streak that would ultimately be snapped on Tuesday, May 7. Nevertheless, keep an eye on Hassell as he pushes for a spot in Triple-A.
--Andersen Pickard - RotoBallerSource: FanGraphs
1 year agoWashington Nationals outfielders
Robert Hassell III (groin) and
Daylen Lile (back) have both been cleared to play in Tuesday's exhibition contest. Hassell suffered a groin strain on March 8 but will bat leadoff and play left field for the prospects team. Lile is recovering from an injury to his back when he flipped over the outfield wall on March 2. Hassell, the team's No. 8 prospect per MLB Pipeline, didn't play at all in spring training and has so far been a bust after the San Diego Padres took him eight overall in 2020. The 22-year-old will start 2024 at Double-A Harrisburg. Lile, the team's No. 7 prospect, is expected to open the season at High-A Wilmington.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: MASN Sports - Bobby Blanco
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