Robert Hassell III Is Quickly Rebuilding His Trajectory
It wasn’t long ago that Robert Hassell III was viewed as one of the premier pure hitters in the minor leagues. A Top 10 pick in the 2020 MLB Draft and centerpiece of the Juan Soto trade, Hassell was expected to rise quickly through the ranks and settle into Washington’s outfield for years to come.
But the path hasn’t been linear.
After battling through hand and wrist injuries that zapped his power and rhythm, 2025 is starting to feel like a turning point. Hassell is healthy, productive, and — maybe most importantly — trending upward again.
A Refined Version of Himself
Now 23 and playing at Double-A Harrisburg, Hassell is showing signs of reclaiming the polish that made him such a coveted prep bat out of Tennessee. His slash line has stabilized, hovering in the .270–.280 range with a much-improved on-base percentage. He’s drawing walks at a solid clip, cutting down the strikeouts, and finding gaps with more regularity.
The power hasn’t fully returned — he’s still more of a line-drive hitter than a slugger — but the quality of contact has improved noticeably. He’s using the whole field and showing the kind of feel for the barrel that made scouts fall in love in the first place.
Impact Beyond the Bat
Defensively, Hassell has remained reliable in all three outfield spots. While he doesn’t possess elite speed or a cannon arm, his instincts and routes keep him in center field — and his glove plays up with consistent effort and positioning.
On the basepaths, he’s aggressive and opportunistic. With double-digit steals already this season, he’s added value in a way that doesn’t always show up in highlight reels but matters over 140 games.
Why He’s Worth Watching Again
After nearly two seasons of stalled development and questions about his ceiling, Hassell is reminding people why he was once a Top 25 prospect. He’s never going to be a power-hitting corner outfielder — and that’s fine. His game is built on contact, control of the zone, and smart baseball.
Now healthy, he looks more like a potential everyday big leaguer — a high-floor type who could bat second or seventh in a lineup and give a manager quality at-bats night in and night out.
In a Nationals system loaded with high-upside but volatile talents, Hassell’s resurgence is refreshing. He might not carry the same buzz as James Wood or Dylan Crews, but his mature approach and polished fundamentals give him real staying power.