What to Expect from Nationals Outfielder Robert Hassell III

Thanks to injuries at the MLB level, the Nationals are promoting former first-round pick Robert Hassell III. It’ll mark Hassell’s first taste of the Majors, nearly five years after he was drafted. However, it’s been far from an easy road for Hassell III, once a highly-touted prospect.

A Look at Hassell III

Heading into the summer of 2019, now-Cubs outfielder Pete Crow-Armstrong was considered the consensus top high school hitter available in 2020. However, a poor summer showing pushed him down boards and allowed others to move past him the 2020 MLB Draft.

One of those names was Robert Hassell III, a Tennessee prep product considered a five-tool player. San Diego, a team that loves high-upside prepsters, selected Hassell with the eighth overall pick. Two years later, he was packaged in the Juan Soto trade.

Hassell III hit very well in A-ball in 2021, as he slashed .323/.415/.482 (.897 OPS) with seven home runs, 31 stolen bases, and 43 extra-base hits across 92 games with Lake Elsinore (A) in 2021. The next year, he sported a .846 OPS with Fort Wayne (A+) before the trade. But since moving to Double-A, Hassell III hit some trouble.

The 23-year-old had an abnormally off year in 2023, as he struck out 152 times over 106 games with Harrisburg (AA) in 2023. That strikeout number was an anomaly for him in his career.

He hit better in 2024 with the Senators, with a .728 OPS. And this season with Rochester (AAA), Hassell slashed .288/.337/.405 (.742 OPS) with four home runs and 11 extra-base hits over 43 games.

The good news for Hassell III is that he’s improved virtually every year he’s moved up — even if he struggled at the same level the previous season. However, his ceiling is limited.

Primarily, the face he hasn’t hit for much power. Hassell III posted a .117 ISO and 3.4% Barrel/PA in Triple-A, something of a theme for him. He’s a twitchy player but one who doesn’t sell out for power. However, on occasion, he’s shown the ability to drive the ball.