Robert
Hassell III

OF Robert Hassell (Independence HS, TN) didn’t disappoint on his final opening day. Opposing pitches tried to work around him, but he picked up a pair of knocks with a line-drive single to center and a flare to shallow left. He also lined out and walked twice, once intentionally. He’s an elite hitter from the left side with a balanced, athletic stance. He is strong at early connection and has impact with great rotation. He takes a patient, advanced approach and doesn’t chase pitches out of the zone. He also got on the bump, working 4.1 innings at 87-92 with a nice breaking ball at 73-76.

Arguably the best pure hitter in the class with loose hands, a sweet left-handed swing, bat speed and projectable power. The Vanderbilt recruit dominated international competition with a .472 average, 14 runs scored and 14 RBIs in nine games for Team USA’s 18U squad in the WBSC World Cup. USA Baseball recognized him with the Richard W. “Dick” Case Award, given annually to the organization’s top player.

Max FB: 86, FB (81-85), CB (72-73), CH (76-77)
Young, projectable LHP w/ potential for 3 avg pitches.  Full windup w/ H 3/4 release and consistent, repeatable mechanics.  Quick arm.  FB w/ some arm side run.  Breaking ball is a slurve that flashes avg w/ proper rotation.  CH thrown w/ armspeed and fade has an above average ceiling.  Filled the zone w/ strikes, mechanics suggest above avg command coming.  Vanderbilt commit.

6-2, 180-pound outfielder.  Lefty hitter hits from an open, very slightly crouched stance w/ back shoulder hand location.  Leg kick w/ proper load.  Above average bat speed w/ clean, repeatable swing.  Quiet in the box, projects to have a very strong hit tool w/ gap to gap approach.  Defensively, showed projectable above avg arm strength w/ the ability to play any spot in the OF.  Vanderbilt commit.

Max FB: 84, FB: 82-84, CB: 69-74, CH: 71-72
6-foot-2, 175-pound, LHP begins with his shoulders already aligned with the plate and uses only short and quick actions to get to the top of his leg lift in a loaded position, maintains an up-tempo pace, strides and lands in a closed position but has a quick enough arm to get out and over it, longer arm action comes through a ¾ slot, finishes tall and under control while his back leg swings around.  Fastball was mostly straight, curveball was almost a slider with some 2/8 movement through the zone, changeup had some slight run and faded a little bit at the plate. 

60 Time: 7.20, Position Velocity:  OF-83, Exit Velocity: 90
6-foot-2, 175-pound, LHH hits from a taller and even stance with his hands beginning in a cocked position, uses a leg kick and stride with a rhythmic waggle of his hands to get loaded, lower half creates separation with some explosiveness through the zone, bat path is very short and begins a little steep but is able to quickly get on plane and attack the ball, big time bat speed, gets through the ball well and showed the ability to produce big time power.  Defensively, showed soft hands and good footwork, played through the ball with confidence, exchange was efficient and led to a slightly shorter arm action through a high ¾ release point, throws are firm and accurate.  A national prospect in the 2020 class.