Scottsdale, Ariz. – Robert Hassell had always been that dude.
The Nationals’ outfield prospect was a phenom at Independence High School in Franklin, Tennessee, crushing the ball so regularly that he went No. 8 overall in the 2020 MLB draft and earned the nickname Bobby Barrels.
Hassell finished the 2022 season as one of the most promising minor league players in all of baseball, and was traded from the Padres to Washington as a major part of the blockbuster Juan Soto deal.
But then injuries came – a broken hamate bone, a wrist injury and a carpal fracture.
And when he was on the field, Bobby wasn’t barreling those baseballs any longer. In 2023, he registered an OPS of just .645, and this past season it was .647.
“I’ve been confident my whole life,” Hassell said in an exclusive interview with SportsCasting, “and then for a year and a half – I can’t believe it lasted that long – it was a really bumpy road.”
4 years ago today, bobby barrels https://t.co/0na3qi1HGZ
— Robert Hassell III (@robert_hassell3) June 10, 2024
There was a swing issue, as the lefty said he was “getting under everything” and fouling off pitches that would normally be doubles or homers.
And the influx of injuries had Hassell more focused on his health than hitting a baseball.
“I was just trying not to hurt anything,” Hassell said. “I wasn’t even really worried at times about what I was doing on the field, how I was performing.”
Hassell talked about those struggles while sitting in the home dugout at Salt River Fields last week, but there was no pain or frustration in his voice.
That’s because the speedy outfielder believes he’s past all of that now.
Hassell is playing in the Arizona Fall League for the third time, and the pedestrian numbers of the past two regular seasons have been left behind.
He is batting .286 with three home runs, 15 RBIs and five stolen bases in 70 at-bats. He has an OPS of .865 and a slugging percentage of .514.
When the impressive slugging percentage is brought up – Hassell only slugged .321 and .328 the past two regular seasons as the injuries sapped his power – he nods vigorously.
“I feel great,” Hassell said. “I’ve felt great for awhile. I’m finally putting it together a little bit. I was talking about it (last week) with one of the coaches that came in with the Nationals. I’m getting the ball in the air a little more, and when I do that, the numbers show I’m getting my hits, instead of fighting for those ground balls to get through.”
That's homer No. 3 for @Nationals No. 13 prospect Robert Hassell III in the Arizona Fall League pic.twitter.com/NMcBmUHPvZ
— MLB Pipeline (@MLBPipeline) October 30, 2024
Outside perception of Hassell has dimmed because he hasn’t been hitting the ball like a top-10 pick is expected, but the inner belief remains.
A healthy Hassell is still a dangerous one, he says.
“People call me Bobby Barrels, and I think that’s what I do,” Hassell said. “If I get to that, where every single game I’m at my best, there is going to be a lot of loud contact. I think I have the capability of doing that, especially when I’m healthy like I am now. It’s telling myself that every day: that’s me.”
Hassell said he’s had to remind himself of that on days when he’s not feeling ultra-confident.
“Me and my pops used to talk about it, and I think it was Chipper Jones that mentioned it: necessary arrogance,” Hassell said. “I don’t like to be arrogant at all, but it’s necessary in this game when you’re up in the box. Mentally at least. Maybe not telling it to everybody, but thinking it. You’re the best player out there, and you’re capable of a lot more than you think you are. It’s constantly reminding myself of that. It directly correlates to performance for me. It just does.”
When asked if he feels pressure after being included in the Soto trade, he thinks for a beat and answers in the affirmative.
“Yeah, a tad bit,” Hassell said. “I think it was good for me. Obviously a guy like that’s popping off in the World Series. He’s playing in front of millions. He’s got millions and millions of fans. Being traded for that, now there’s an expectation I have to hold myself to. It’s as easy as that. Play like the best, because I feel like that’s what (the Nationals) got in that trade. Me and four or five other guys.”
Hassell may no longer be earmarked for Major League stardom by outsiders, but when asked about a potential big league arrival, he doesn’t mince words.
Hassell has been in the minors since 2021. Now 23 years old, he’s hoping for another big league camp invite in March to prove he’s ready for the show.
“I’d like to finish all of Spring Training in big league camp and perform – create some opportunities for myself and make it a hard decision for them,” Hassell said. “Apply that pressure on them early, because Spring Training is long enough that I can really open some eyes. If I am back to what I usually do, I can open some eyes.”
