Follow the Prospects: Robert Hassell III, OF

[imref]

2-4, 2-2Bs last night, OPS up to 1.497

[Natsinpwc]

This is great.  He can excel against 19-20 year olds!  Better than sucking against them I suppose. 

[JCA-CrystalCity]

This is great.  He can excel against 19-20 year olds!  Better than sucking against them I suppose. 

AFL is basically AA with less than top prospect pitching.

[Slateman]

AFL is basically AA with less than top prospect pitching.

Yea. Not really sure why they sent him back there, particularly after his injuries. Rather see him get a full, healthy offseason

[zimm_da_kid]

Yea. Not really sure why they sent him back there, particularly after his injuries. Rather see him get a full, healthy offseason

I’d argue getting him more ABs to catch up on time missed and rebuilding his confidence is important so he can hit the ground running in aaa next year

[Elvir Ovcina]

Yea. Not really sure why they sent him back there, particularly after his injuries. Rather see him get a full, healthy offseason

I'm wondering if they're deciding whether to put him on the 40 or not.  He's Rule 5 eligible if not.

[JCA-CrystalCity]

probably something that would be a good thread - who is added, who is dropped

[imref]

probably something that would be a good thread - who is added, who is dropped

we have a 2024 ML transactions thread pinned in The Farm. I figured i'd create a 2025 one after season's end. I'll set up a 2025 Rule 5 Draft thread at some point.

[JCA-CrystalCity]

we have a 2024 ML transactions thread pinned in The Farm. I figured i'd create a 2025 one after season's end. I'll set up a 2025 Rule 5 Draft thread at some point.

either that, or a 40 man roster thread

[Slateman]

I'm wondering if they're deciding whether to put him on the 40 or not.  He's Rule 5 eligible if not.

Okay, I guess. He's 23 and got to Triple A. I'm not sure why you wouldn't put him on the 40 man at this point.

[Senatorswin]

I'm wondering if they're deciding whether to put him on the 40 or not.  He's Rule 5 eligible if not.

If he becomes Rule 5 eligible he's gone.

[aspenbubba]

11 for 25, BA is .440

[imref]

He’s definitely getting added to the 40 man before he’s traded. The afl is to showcase him imho.

2-for-5 with a double, a triple, three RBI, R yesterday.

[JCA-CrystalCity]

He’s definitely getting added to the 40 man before he’s traded. The afl is to showcase him imho.

2-for-5 with a double, a triple, three RBI, R yesterday.

showcasing for a trade is possible

[Senatorswin]

showcasing for a trade is possible

I wouldn't trade him. If he can stay healthy he could be something really special.

[welch]

I wouldn't trade him. If he can stay healthy he could be something really special.

Nothing wrong with having Hassell playing to his potential. Then consider the Soto trade, with Susana improving.

[JCA-CrystalCity]

I wouldn't trade him. If he can stay healthy he could be something really special.

in a package for a good starter, I'd do it. I'd move any of the non-Crews/Wood outfielders in the right deal, including Young.

[Slateman]

If Hassell is hitting well enough to be a significant component of a trade package for a starting pitcher, he is far more valuable to an offensively challenged big league club.

Long way to go before that.

[zimm_da_kid]

If Hassell is hitting well enough to be a significant component of a trade package for a starting pitcher, he is far more valuable to an offensively challenged big league club.

Long way to go before that.

I had a dream last night where Elijah green broke out.  Hassell is tradeable.

All jokes aside, yes we have a bunch of outfielders/outfield prospects.  I say trade young and sign Soto. Make hassell the next guy up in case of injury.  If he plays well, then he’d be even better trade bait

[imref]

https://www.mlb.com/news/nationals-robert-hassell-iii-finds-confidence-in-arizona-fall-league

[JCA-CrystalCity]

IF Hassell works out, then there's no way to give enough playing time to 4 OFs. You'd have to be convinced that Wood cannot play in the field and has to  be moved to 1st or DH. I have doubt Hassell best case has the kind of bat you want in a corner OF (vs  Soto / Santander / Hernandez). Key to Hassell's value is convincing somebody he can be a regular CF.

[Slateman]

Meh, he has only hit like this in the high desert. Until he can show health and consistency in a normal environment, no one will care.

And to be honest, if he can be a decent MLB hitter, Jacob Young is a bench bat.

[JCA-CrystalCity]

Meh, he has only hit like this in the high desert. Until he can show health and consistency in a normal environment, no one will care.

And to be honest, if he can be a decent MLB hitter, Jacob Young is a bench bat pinch runner.

closer to the truth. I suspect a 2.5 fWAR CF with 5 years of control is worth more to another team than he'd be worth to the Nats as a 4th OF.

[Smithian]

I think the Nationals have to get him on the 40-man. We don't have a roster crunch.

I'm not going to worry about figuring out how to play him and Jacob Young when Hassell has top out at AA for various reasons three years in a row, had a rough go of it in AAA, and has had injuries.

I still think he has lots of potential and I think he's worth the 40-man. But I'm not worried about trading a 2+ WAR CF under team control for another half decade.

[Slateman]

closer to the truth. I suspect a 2.5 fWAR CF with 5 years of control is worth more to another team than he'd be worth to the Nats as a 4th OF.

I don't think any competitive team views him as anything other than a 4th OFer.