Robert Hassell

In late May, Hassell became the fourth player from the five-player package the Nationals received from the Padres for Juan Soto to reach the majors, following CJ Abrams, MacKenzie Gore, and James Wood. His first stint was brief as he was sent back to Triple-A Rochester after about a month, struggling with a .218/.228/.269 line, a 26.6 percent strikeout rate, and a 1.3 percent walk rate. He was recalled in early August but didn't fare much better, striking out more and finishing with a .227/.276/.345 performance. In 76 Triple-A games, Hassell hit .310/.383/.456 with 16 steals, a 17.6 percent strikeout rate, and a 10.6 percent walk rate, but he couldn't translate those skills to Washington. He is a ground ball hitter with above-average speed, a profile that typically thrives with a lower strikeout rate. He struggled similarly against fastballs, breaking balls, and off-speed pitches. More time in the minors could be beneficial, even though he demonstrated the ability to handle Triple-A pitching. With the Nationals in rebuilding mode, a strong spring could earn him an Opening Day job and help him avoid the post-hype label. Read Past Outlooks