Robert Hassell

Robert Hassell

23-Year-Old OutfielderOF
Washington Nationals AAA
2024 Fantasy Outlook
There was no outlook written for Robert Hassell in 2024. Check out the latest news below for more on his current fantasy value.
$Signed a $4.3 million contract with the Padres in June of 2020. Traded to the Nationals in August of 2022.
Heading to Triple-A
OFWashington Nationals  AAA
September 2, 2024
The Nationals promoted Hassell from Double-A Harrisburg to Triple-A Rochester on Monday, Bobby Blanco of MASNSports.com reports.
ANALYSIS
Hassell missed nearly two months of action earlier this summer with a right hand injury and had struggled to shake off the rust upon returning from Harrisburg's injured list Aug. 20. Though he slashed just .238/.306/.381 with two home runs and one stolen base in 11 games following his return to the Double-A lineup, Hassell will nonetheless be awarded his first promotion to the Triple-A level for the final three weeks of the season. Rochester likely had an opening in its everyday outfield for Hassell after the Nationals recently called up prospects Dylan Crews and Darren Baker from Triple-A.
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Past Fantasy Outlooks
2023
2022
2021
At the time of the Juan Soto trade, many may have seen Hassell as the headliner of a stacked five-player package the Nationals received from San Diego. However, it quickly became clear that James Wood is the best prospect the Nationals got back, and C.J. Abrams and MacKenzie Gore (and even Jarlin Susana) also have a shot to exceed Hassell's contributions. When a hit-tool first prospect starts showcasing hit tool concerns (28.7 K% in 27 games at Double-A), it can be a red flag, and Hassell's power didn't spike to go along with the elevated strikeout rate. He has never walked less than 10% of the time, so he could be a leadoff or No. 2 hitter if he only has a 55-grade hit tool, especially in Washington. Hassell is an aggressive, above-average runner, so double-digit steals should be there as well. However, there's a chance Hassell ends up being just a slightly better version of Lane Thomas, and there's an argument for selling low on the 21-year-old center fielder in dynasty this winter. He broke a hamate bone in his hand during the Arizona Fall League, but is expected to be ready for spring training.
There have been exceptions, like Mickey Moniak in 2016, but typically, the high school hitter with the best hit tool in the class has gone on to meet or exceed expectations as a prospect. Hassell was that player in the 2020 draft, and the early returns suggest he will develop into a quality big-league outfielder who will hit first or second for the Padres in a few years. He excelled at an appropriate age (19) for Low-A, hitting .323/.415/.482 with seven home runs, 31 steals (on 37 attempts), a 13.3 BB% and a 17.2 K% in 92 games. Stolen-base totals in the lower levels should be taken with a grain of salt, but Hassell is an above-average runner who should chip in 10-20 steals over full MLB seasons. The most exciting aspect of his profile is his hit tool. He needs to generate more loft (52.1 GB% at Low-A), but he already makes excellent swing decisions and uses the whole field. Hassell performed better in the power department after a bump to the more hitter-friendly park at High-A Fort Wayne, maintaining an all-fields approach while cutting his groundball rate to 32.7% and hitting four home runs in 18 games. However, his strikeout rate ballooned to 28.7%, so perhaps he was selling out for power. If he can regain the hit-over-power approach he showed at Low-A, Hassell should be able to be a 15-20 homer threat as he matures, which could lead to a 20/20 season or two in his mid-20s. He will head back to High-A for his age-20 season and could get a midsummer promotion to Double-A.
Hassell was tabbed as the prep hitter with the best hit tool in last year's class. It seems likely that he cut a deal with the Padres before they selected him at No. 8 overall, as he signed for almost $1 million less than slot value, which allowed the Friars to go over slot on Cole Wilcox. Hassell's left-handed swing is pretty level, which is not ideal in today's game, but he added strength and bat speed after signing. If he keeps his current swing, the hope would be for a .300 hitter who hits 20 home runs and steals 10-15 bases. That's a good player in real life and fantasy, but he won't have much margin for error with the hit tool, as he would be a much less interesting player if he were only a .270 hitter. The Padres expect him to be able to handle center field, despite the fact he is not a plus runner. This would put less pressure on him to unlock more power.
More Fantasy News
Back in action at Double-A
OFWashington Nationals  AAA
August 21, 2024
Hassell (hand) went 2-for-5 at the plate for Double-A Harrisburg in his return from the 7-day injured list Tuesday.
ANALYSIS
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Shut down with injury
OFWashington Nationals  AAA
Hand
June 12, 2024
Double-A Harrisburg placed Hassell on its 7-day injured list Wednesday with a right hand injury, Bobby Blanco of MASNSports.com reports.
ANALYSIS
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Raking at Double-A
OFWashington Nationals  AAA
May 9, 2024
Hassell was named the Eastern League Player of the Week on Monday, Jessica Camerato of MLB.com reports.
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Set to play in exhibition
OFWashington Nationals  AAA
March 25, 2024
Hassell (groin) is listed among the Nationals prospects on the "Futures Roster" for Tuesday's exhibition against current Washington players, Mark Zuckerman of MASNSports.com reports.
ANALYSIS
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Nursing groin strain
OFWashington Nationals  AAA
Groin
March 13, 2024
Manager Dave Martinez said Wednesday that Hassell has been diagnosed with a strained groin, Andrew Golden of The Washington Post reports.
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Latest Fantasy Rumors
Struggling to ascend
OFWashington Nationals  AAA
September 3, 2023
Hassell is hitting .216 with seven home runs and 13 stolen bases through 422 plate appearances at Double-A this season.
ANALYSIS
Hassell has struggled mightily since being traded to Washington as part of the Juan Soto blockbuster. The 22-year-old has played for three different minor-league affiliates, but he's never exceeded a .222 batting average despite combining for 708 plate appearances. Hassell owns a .756 minor-league OPS for his career.
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