If 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.
Washington 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.
Washington Nationals outfielder Robert Hassell III (undisclosed) was placed on the 7-day injured list for Double-A Harrisburg on Wednesday. There was no word as to what the injury is that he is dealing with as he played the previous evening. Prior to being placed on the injured, the 22-year-old was hitting .278 with three homers, 14 RBI and 11 stolen bases. After spending most of last season with Harrisburg and doing well this season, Hassell was pushing for a promotion to Triple-A. The extent of his injury is still unknown, but more should be known as the days go on to determine a return date. Hassell has a good swing from the left-handed side, but needs to improve his plate discipline before reaching the big leagues. He remains a stash in dynasty leagues only.
Washington 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.
Washington 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.
Washington Nationals outfield prospect Robert Hassell III (hand) will miss the rest of the Arizona Fall League after suffering a broken hamate bone in his right hand. Hassell is the team's top-ranked prospect and was acquired as part of the package that sent superstar outfielder Juan Soto and first baseman Josh Bell to the San Diego Padres on Aug. 2. The 21-year-old outfielder left the game on Oct. 5 and hadn't played since, going 1-for-6 in limited action in the AFL. He had surgery on his hand, is doing well and is expected to be 100 percent healthy in time for spring training in 2023. The No. 22 overall prospect in baseball didn't hit as well due to a recurring hand injury after he was acquired by the Nats, but he was still called up to Double-A. In 37 games, he hit just .219/.311/.281 and struck out 47 times in 167 plate appearances.
Washington Nationals outfield prospect Robert Hassell III hit his first homer with his new franchise on Sunday. One of the big gets for the Nationals in return for outfielder Juan Soto, Hassell went 2-for-5 with a pair of RBI for Double-A Harrisburg on Sunday. Hassell began his tenure in the Nationals organization in High-A, but was promoted to Harrisburg on August 16. Between both the Padres and Nationals organizations and High-A and Double-A, Hassell has hit .274 with 11 homers, 65 RBI and 23 stolen bases. Hassell has a strong approach at the plate with his ability to make good contact and at 21 years of age, his body is still maturing and that could add to more power down the road. The Nationals are in a full rebuild and have no reason to rush one of the gems of their farm system, but it's a possibility that Hassell could make his big-league debut in 2023. If not already rostered, managers in dynasty leagues should consider scooping up the talented outfielder that could help managers for years to come.
Washington Nationals outfield prospect Robert Hassell III went 3-for-4 with a run and two RBI for High-A Wilmington on Friday. Hassell was the biggest get that the Nationals got in the mega blockbuster deal for outfielder Juan Soto. The 20-year-old has been off to a slow start with his new organization and has hit just .200 with three RBI over his first eight games. Despite his slow numbers over the past week, Hassell remains one of the top outfield prospects in the game and was hitting .299 with 10 homers, 55 RBI and 20 stolen bases for High-A Fort Wayne of the Padres organization. Hassell remains an all-around future asset for dynasty managers, but can be ignored in redraft leagues this season.
San Diego Padres outfield prospect Robert Hassell III has been off to a hot start for High-A Fort Wayne. In his most recent game on Thursday, the outfielder went 1-for-4 and is now hitting .363 with five home runs, 20 RBI and nine stole bases in 24 games. Hassell struggled in his first taste of High-A action in 2021 with a .205 batting average to go along with just one home run and four RBI over 18 games, but 2022 has been a complete 180 for arguably the Padres top hitting prospect. The eighth overall pick in the 2020 draft, the talented outfielder profiles as a very good contact hitter and at age 20, Hassell should only continue to add strength which should help his power profile as he continues to rise through the Padres system. A few years away from making an impact, Hassell is a name for managers in dynasty leagues to keep tabs on.
Robert Hassell III Bombs Three Dingers After Promotion
San Diego Padres outfield prospect Robert Hassell III went 3-for-6 with three homers and five RBI Wednesday for High-A Fort Wayne. After conquering Low-A Lake Elsinore with a .897 OPS, seven dingers and 31 stolen bases in 429 plate appearances, Hassell's big night came just three games into his promotion. MLB's No. 46 prospect and the eighth overall pick in 2020, Hassell is still a couple years away from big league action but dynasty managers should be pleased with his developmental pace. Keep the 20-year-old on prospect shortlists.
Robert Hassell III
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