Follow the Prospects: Robert Hassell III, OF

[KnorrForYourMoney]

if it is a hamate, then he'll show no power in the minors next year.  That's OK as long as other aspects of his game progress.

The timeline for a return to power hitting is months, right?  It might come around in the second half of the season.  I remember Zimmerman coming back from that in '08 and I think his power stroke returned late in the season.

[RD]

I wouldn't worry too much about his power next year. Going into the off season instead of trying to recover mid season, should help him recover just fine and get strength back by the time the season starts. The amount of swings he'll take in January, February, and March should give him plenty of time to get the strength back in the hand without needing to rush anything.

[imref]

There was another report that he had his wrist wrapped.

[imref]

Hamate bone fracture, out of the AFL, has already had surgery and is expected to be ready for ST:

https://www.mlb.com/news/nationals-robert-hassell-iii-injury-ends-afl-season

[Natsinpwc]

Was watching the MLB top prospects and did not realize his nickname is “Bobby Barrels”. 

[zimm_da_kid]

Was watching the MLB top prospects and did not realize his nickname is “Bobby Barrels”. 

I’ve also heard Bobby doubles referring to him

[Natsinpwc]

I’ve also heard Bobby doubles referring to him

No alliteration.

[imref]

Fully healthy per Rizzo

[JCA-CrystalCity]

No alliteration.

Fully healthy per Rizzo

Healthy Hassell!

[imref]

Healthy Hassell!

Hooray!

[JCA-CrystalCity]

#112 on Fangraphs 2023 top 100 (listed because everyone below #39 is rated a 50 Future Value on their board).  Says was looking great until the trade, then broke the hamate in the AFL.

By the end of the year he was late on any sort of real velocity, struggling to get on top of fastballs up and away from him, and spraying most of his contact down the third base line, unable to turn on much of anything.  ... The visual evaluation of Hassell’s feel to hit was consistently strong until the last couple months of 2022. He’s a little bit upright in the box but has a well-timed, toe-tap stride and great-looking swing that has typically been on time despite a little bat wrap and hitch in his hands. Generally considered a polished, high-floored prospect, there’s now a fair bit of volatility here. Hassell doesn’t have premium ball-striking power and is probably a corner outfielder, so the contact piece of his profile needs to rebound in a big way for him to continue projecting as a regular.

https://blogs.fangraphs.com/2023-top-100-prospects/

Longerhagen in the chat:

Anthony: What happened to Hassell? Do you think he actually bounces back?

1:21    
Eric A Longenhagen: Dude I honestly don’t know, he bat just looked dead at the very end of the year. I put the tape on again last night (he was one of the last guys I wrote up) and he’s just late on everything.

https://blogs.fangraphs.com/2023-top-100-prospects-chat/

[Natsinpwc]

Can’t take anyone seriously who says “dude”. 

[Smithian]

I feel like some are way too high on Wood and others now way too low on Hassell.

[imref]

Hassell taking it to Max on Twitter:
https://twitter.com/robert_hassell3/status/1632375669148581890?s=46&t=VxK4vP11aMUU5dFhz5Ltrg

The minor league guys are used to the pitch clock. They aren’t happy with the vet’s excuses.

[Natsinpwc]

Hassell taking it to Max on Twitter:
https://twitter.com/robert_hassell3/status/1632375669148581890?s=46&t=VxK4vP11aMUU5dFhz5Ltrg

The minor league guys are used to the pitch clock. They aren’t happy with the vet’s excuses.

Just STFU until you can make it out of Double A.

[JCA-CrystalCity]

Hassell taking it to Max on Twitter:
https://twitter.com/robert_hassell3/status/1632375669148581890?s=46&t=VxK4vP11aMUU5dFhz5Ltrg

The minor league guys are used to the pitch clock. They aren’t happy with the vet’s excuses.

either the link is bad or he's pulled it down

[Slateman]

He definitely pulled it down.

One day you'll be in the MLB. For your sake, I hope Mad Max doesn't see this tweet. But as a fan, I can't wait to watch.

And Hassell replies with a GIF of Jose Bautista homering and bat-flipping

[imref]

Tweet has been deleted. Probably the best move for him at this point in his career.  Hopefully he wasn't drinking when he tweeted it.

For those of you who missed it:

how about throw the ball before it hits zero like the rule says and you should be good

He was responding to this tweet:

https://twitter.com/TalkinBaseball_/status/1631785883807412226

Talkin’ Baseball
@TalkinBaseball_
Max Scherzer wants umpires to be a little more lenient when it comes to the pitch clock @shea_station pic.twitter.com/RMOEiKDw6N

[imref]

who wants to bet that Hassell gets drilled the first time he faces Binghamton this season?

[Slateman]

Ballsy. Stupid, but ballsy.

[GataNats]

Good for him.  Max is trying to finagle a situation

[Smithian]

Hassell taking it to Max on Twitter:
https://twitter.com/robert_hassell3/status/1632375669148581890?s=46&t=VxK4vP11aMUU5dFhz5Ltrg

The minor league guys are used to the pitch clock. They aren’t happy with the vet’s excuses.

I love this kid!

[imref]

Currently shut down with a wrist issue. Max sure works in strange ways...

[Natsinpwc]

This is why it’s ridiculous for folks to talk about him being with the Nats later this year. Mid-2024 at the earliest. 

[JCA-CrystalCity]

Currently shut down with a wrist issue. Max sure works in strange ways...

the wrist with the hamate issue?