As Director of Pro Scouting, I lead a talented group of evaluators as we break down future stars. You can find me at random California League games throughout the season!
The Nationals are emerging as a team and organization on the rise. Their pitching development, in particular, has shown real progress, as they've worked with Mackenzie Gore to refine his approach and have helped DJ Herz look like a viable big-league starter. On the prospect side, Jarlin Susana and Travis Sykora have started throwing strikes consistently, which amplifies their powerful stuff. While hitting development still lags slightly behind, that may be the next area of focus, as the Nationals' new front-office structure has begun steering them away from their more old-school ways. The Nationals' farm system is deep and vibrant, so much so that several notable prospects didn't make this year's top 20.
The honorable mentions are always a delicate selection, and two of the most obvious omissions for the Nationals—ones people may ask about right away—are Robert Hassel III and Elijah Green. Each player is on a different trajectory, and while both possess unique strengths, their recent performances have not kept pace with the growth of the rest of the system. The Nationals' farm has seen real gains, driven by savvy trades and solid development, while both Hassel and Green have encountered setbacks, placing them on a slight downswing in an otherwise healthy and improving prospect pool.
Let's start with Robert Hassell III. I will just post my report, and maybe that can help illuminate some things about how I feel about him.
"One could argue against getting too attached to Padres prospects, as seen with Robert Hassell III, who was once highly regarded in the prospect world. Hassell is a decent athlete, with his standout tool being his bat-to-ball skills. He has above-average plate coverage and a linear bat path that helps him make contact on pitches throughout the zone. His quick wrists and solid pitch recognition contribute to his contact ability. However, as Hassell has advanced in the minors, his contact hasn't held up as well. In Double-A this year, he posted an in-zone contact rate of 77%, which is below average. Hassell lacks significant power, which limits his overall ceiling. He doesn't generate much exit velocity, primarily due to a lack of loft and only average bat speed. Defensively, he's versatile, able to play all three outfield positions capably. He's an average defender in center and above average in a corner, thanks to his range, which is more a product of his excellent reads and jumps than raw foot speed. His arm strength is average, but his positioning and instincts compensate well. Hassell's stock has fallen significantly, and he now profiles more as a role player, likely as a fifth outfielder on a second-division team. It says how his prospect stock has fallen, that a team didn't take a chance on him in last year's Rule V selection and that the Nationals didn't feel the need to protect him. "
I initially wrote Hassell's report thinking he'd comfortably make the top 20. But after a closer look, it's clear that the one skill we counted on—his ability to hit—has really slipped. And that's a real issue when you're not a burner and don't hit the ball with exceptional force. Adding to the concern, he was left unprotected in the Rule 5 draft, and not one team saw enough upside to take a shot on him. For perspective, even Cleveland—who we consider to have a smart front office—opted to pick Deyvison De Los Santos, massive swing-and-miss issues over a more generic, hit-over-power corner outfielder like Hassell.
Hassell fits an archetype of a draft prospect that we might need to rethink: the prep hitter whose profile is carried by the hit tool, with the hope that the rest of the tools will catch up. Sure, he might debut and clock some service time, but a few years back, we saw him as having the upside of what Jackson Merrill is now. Instead, he's edging toward non-prospect status.
As Director of Pro Scouting, I lead a talented group of evaluators as we break down future stars. You can find me at random California League games throughout the season!
As Director of Pro Scouting, I lead a talented group of evaluators as we break down future stars. You can find me at random California League games throughout the season!
As Director of Pro Scouting, I lead a talented group of evaluators as we break down future stars. You can find me at random California League games throughout the season!
As Director of Pro Scouting, I lead a talented group of evaluators as we break down future stars. You can find me at random California League games throughout the season!
