Robert Hassell is a two way player from Independence High School out of Franklin, Tennessee. The Vanderbilt University commit has been climbing the rankings and is expected to be a first-round pick in the MLB draft. MLB.COM currently has Hassell ranked as the 16th best prospect in the upcoming draft. Hassell will be the first prep player drafted out of the state of Tennessee in the first round since Mike White in 1986.
Hassell is widely considered to be better as a hitter but there is no doubt he is also a very good pitcher. The expectation is that he will make the majors based on his bat. But with the emergence of two-way major league players such as Shohei Ohtani and Michael Lorenzen this could be a trend in the coming years.
Accolades
Hassell played on the 2014 South Nashville team that played in the Little League World Series. Ten players from that team have signed or committed to play in college. Hassell also was named the International Player of the Year when he played on the USA 18U National Team in the WSBC 18-U World Cup in Korea last year. His slash line of .514/.548/.886 proves the kind of hitter he is.
No. Doubt. ? #ForGlory??
Our first dinger of the #U18WorldCup, presented by @robert_hassell3. pic.twitter.com/bZWjHW6IkV
— USA Baseball 18U (@USABaseball18U) September 4, 2019
Hassell also has won the Gatorade Player of the Year Award for Tennessee the last two years. He was the winning pitcher leading Independence High School to the District II-AAA championship in 2019. Hassell pitched a no-hitter in that game with 17 strikeouts. Hassell also has homered in his first at-bat the past four seasons.
Homerun! Fourth year in a row @robert_hassell3 hits a homerun his first regular season at bat. Independence HS beats Centennial 3-2. 3/13/2018 pic.twitter.com/EuniBchk53
— Jane Hassell (@janehassell) March 15, 2018
Strengths
Hitter
The 18-year-old Robert Hassell is the best pure hitter out of all the high school players in this draft. The 6-2 190 pounder plays centerfield and first base when he is not pitching. Perfect Game describes his build as lean high waisted athletic build, lots of physical projection, and room to get stronger. He has a wide and slightly open batting stance with fast hands and good extension.
Hassell’s 2019 season shows he can be a five-tool player. But only if his power develops at the next level. Out of the leadoff spot, he batted .423 with 14 homers and 36 RBI with 22 stolen bases. Although Hassell played center field in high school his arm strength suggests he could eventually be a right fielder.
During the Summer of 2019, Hassell played on the United States 18-Under national team in the World Cup. Hassell dominated against the best competition in the world. Hassell led the team with a .514 batting average with 18 hits, 14 runs, five doubles, two homers, and 14 RBI. Not only did he learn from playing with and against a high level of competition he also got to work with great coaches.
Pitcher
As a left-handed pitcher, he has a quick and compact delivery with a fast arm with some whip and spinal tilt. Hassell’s fastball tops out at 90 MPH and he throws a tight slider with a hard bite. He also has a changeup as part of his arsenal.
During the 2019 season, Hassell went 5-2 with a 1.07 ERA with 113 strikeouts and just 21 walks over 59 innings. His coach at Independence High School Mike McLaury said “He could be a draft pick on the mound. But he’s just a better draft pick in the field.”
Weaknesses
Some scouts are not convinced he will hit for power in the major leagues. This could be an issue if he does play one of the corner outfield positions which are typically for power hitters. His swing is not geared for power. Robert Hassell did have a period where he struggled in 2019 which was because he was trying to hit for power.
Additionally, if Hassell wants to be a two-way player he would be better off going to Vanderbilt to further develop as a hitter or pitcher. It might not be possible to do this in the minor leagues. There is also the signability factor. If Hassell is not drafted in the top 10 could he ask for top 10 money?
MLB Comparison
Two-way players are not common in the major leagues so it is hard to find a comp for Robert Hassell. But looking at his swing it is very similar to Bryce Harper’s. Hassell does not have the power that Harper has. Afterall when Harper was 18 years old he hit a combined 17 homers in Single-A and Double-A and hit 22 long balls at 19 years old in the majors. Still, it is nice to be compared to one of the best players in the majors.
As far as his hitting potential is concerned Hassell is comparable to Jarred Kelenic and Riley Greene at the same point in their careers. Kelenic is ranked as the 11th best prospect in baseball and rising fast while Greene is ranked 31st. Kelenic had a chance to get to the majors this season if not for the pandemic.
Hassell has the tools and his bat is highly regarded but still, there are some questions concerning his game. Will he want to be a two-way player and playing at Vanderbilt would offer him the best opportunity to do that. Will his power be good enough to play a corner outfield spot? If not is he fast enough to cover centerfield at the major league level.
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