Follow the Prospects: Robert Hassell III, OF

[imref]

1-3, 2B, K in the future stars game.

[imref]

2-4, 2B, RBI playing CF yesterday.

[aspenbubba]

21 Games 86 AB's  .291/.365/.535   .900  4 HR's

 

[Slateman]

In his career, he seems to OPS about a 100 points higher against RHP vs LHP

Interestingly enough, Jacob Young is somewhere around 70 points better against LHP

[JCA-CrystalCity]

In his career, he seems to OPS about a 100 points higher against RHP vs LHP

Interestingly enough, Jacob Young is somewhere around 70 points better against LHP

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[imref]

Final AFL stats: .281 / .360 / .517 / .877, 4HR, 5SB

[imref]

Paywalled unfortunately:

https://www.baseballamerica.com/stories/nationals-robert-hassell-iii-began-to-hit-his-stride-in-afl/

[welch]

Paywalled unfortunately:

https://www.baseballamerica.com/stories/nationals-robert-hassell-iii-began-to-hit-his-stride-in-afl/

Some snippets:

Nationals’ Robert Hassell III Began To Hit His Stride In AFL
November 17, 2024

Lacy Lusk

Thanks to getting the ball off the ground more often, the career of 23-year-old outfielder Robert Hassell III might be taking off again.

With the chance to make the Nationals’ 40-man roster, the eighth overall pick from the 2020 draft had a good run in the Arizona Fall League. Hassell hit .291/.365/.535 with four home runs through 21 games.

Nationals farm director Eddie Longosz got a first-hand look at the franchise’s AFL contingent. The lefthanded-hitting Hassell was striking the ball with more authority and stretching singles into doubles. One of the tweaks with his swing has been a slightly new stride direction.

“Robert has been playing extremely well out here, with a great approach at the plate, staying inside the baseball and keeping the barrel in the zone,” Longosz said.

Hassell "has above-average range, speed and arm strength. He was considered the best pure hitter in the 2020 draft...."

Article notes that Hassell had hand and wrists injuries this past season.

Hassell played briefly in the AFL in 2022 and regularly in 2023. After he missed about two months of the 2024 season, he and the Nationals agreed that a third stint in Arizona could be good for him.

“He made tremendous progress in Double-A this year as well as the last month in Triple-A,” Longosz said “He is an elite outfielder in both center field and right field. He is going to be a very exciting player to watch come spring training.”

[imref]

Added to the 40 man!

[welch]

Added to the 40 man!

Good move. Promote Hassell to the Nats at the end of June, assuming he hits and plays well at Rochester.