Born: Aug 15, 2001
Bats: L Throws: L
Ht.: 6'2" Wt.: 195
Drafted/Signed: HS--Thompson's Sta., Tenn., 2020 (1).
Signed By: Tyler Stubblefield.
Minors: .299/.379/.467 | 10 HR | 20 SB | 304 AB
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Track Record: Hassell starred in the Little League World Series and led USA Baseball’s 18U national team to a silver medal at the 2019 World Cup with a .514 batting average. The Padres drafted him eighth overall in 2020 and signed him away from a Vanderbilt commitment for $4.3 million. Hassell reported to the alternate training site after signing and got at-bats in big league spring training games in 2021 before making his official pro debut. He lived up to his reputation as a premium hitter by batting .323/.415/.482 at Low-A Lake Elsinore and received a late promotion to High-A Fort Wayne.
Scouting Report: Hassell’s loose, all-fields swing is already perfectly geared for contact. He’s a consensus plus hitter who controls the strike zone, covers the entire plate and hangs in well against lefties in a way that is rare for a young lefthanded hitter. With a thin, 6-foot-2, 182-pound frame, Hassell has endured questions about his power potential for years, but he is learning to backspin the ball and pull the appropriate pitches. Until his average power manifests in games more consistently, the Padres are content to hit him atop the order, where he’s an on-base machine and a stolen base threat with his above-average speed. Hassell is a natural center fielder who is light on his feet and has the above-average arm strength to play any outfield position. He plays with a chip on his shoulder and isn’t afraid to voice it.
The Future: Hassell is on the fast track and could reach Double-A as a 20-year-old in 2022. He’s an all-star in the making if he unlocks his 15-20 homer potential.
Scouting Grades: Hit: 60. Power: 45. Speed: 55. Fielding: 55. Arm: 55.
https://www.baseballamerica.com/teams/1016/san-diego-padres/organizational/#103865
