Editors Note: This is the latest in my player profile series that I have started here at the Nats Report. Read other prospect player profiles:

Robert Hassell III

• Position: Outfield

• Current status: Double-A Harrisburg Senators.

• How acquired: He was selected eighth overall by the San Diego Padres in the 2020 MLB draft. Was part of the Juan Soto trade in 2022.

• Quotable: “You really got to improve your game because the things that you could get away with because you're just more talented, that's not going to happen as much I feel like at Double-A. And for me personally, some guys are really talented. I saw different guys like Jackson Holliday come up, shoot through Double-A and he's raking in Triple-A.” via MLB.com

• 2023 Grade: A

• 2024 Opening Day Projection: Double-A Harrisburg Senators

• 2023 stats:

  • 121 G | 545 PA | 467 AB | 66 R | 103 H | 9 HR | 41 RBI | 15 SB | 161 SO | .221 BA | .645 OPS |

2023 Analysis

Robert Hassell III was part of the prospect package that the Nationals received from San Diego for Juan Soto, being one of the prominent names. In 2022, Hassell faced difficulties adjusting to Harrisburg and suffered a wrist injury in the fall, which hindered his full participation in last year’s Arizona Fall League.

However, this year marked an upturn for the prospect. Over the course of more than 100 games between High-A and Double-A, Hassell displayed improvement compared to his initial months with the Nationals last year.

This year he achieved a batting average of .225/.316/.324 with eight home runs and a 31.9% strikeout rate this year. Hassell's ability to make contact with the ball became crucial; when he did, he batted .331, supported by his 26.2% line-drive rate and his preference for using the opposite field.

Late in the season for Double-A Harrisburg however, Hassell slashed .281/.349/.351 in September with a marginally improved 25.4 percent strikeout rate.

Hassell’s positive 2023 continued this fall back in Arizona, where he is batting an impressive .273/.338 and a slugging percentage of .345

2024 outlook

At just 22 years old, Hassell is nearly the same age as some of this year’s college draft picks, however, Hassell has a leg up on those picks because of his experiences now on both costs of America. Hassell boots above-average run, field, and arm grades which is why he can be considered one of the Nationals’ most captivating prospects.

Hassell is finally putting his injury that he sustained in the Fall of 2022 behind him and if he can remain healthy in the spring of 2024, I think that we could see him in the majors in late August and early September.

I also believe that Hassell will start in Harrisburg however, he will be quickly promoted to Triple-A Rochester for the majority of the 2024 season.

The Nats Report is an independent reader-supported project with both free and paid subscriptions and not affiliated with the Washington Nationals.

Those who opt for the paid edition are providing vital assistance to bolster our independent coverage of the Washington Nationals and Major League Baseball.