The Washington Nationals are reportedly calling up a fourth player from the 2022 Juan Soto trade to make his major league debut.
Following a pair of injuries to outfielders Dylan Crews (left side discomfort) and Jacob Young (shoulder soreness), the Nationals are recalling Robert Hassell III, as first reported by Chase Ford of MiLB Central.
Hassell was the No. 8 overall pick by the San Diego Padres in the 2020 MLB Draft out of Independence High School in Tennessee. His first two seasons in the Padres system were solid, but after being dealt to the Nationals, his production dipped following a slew of setbacks including a broken hamate in his right hand, wrist/hand/thumb issues, and a hamstring injury.
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The 23-year-old has rebounded well this season for Triple-A Rochester however. Hassell has been on a tear this month alone, hitting .365/.403/.603 with four home runs and 16 RBI in 15 games. He’s also cut down on the strikeouts which have plagued him over the years, punching out only 34 times in 175 plate appearances this season.
Washington Nationals outfielder Robert Hassell III (55) practices his swingSam Navarro-Imagn Images
In exchange for Soto and first baseman Josh Bell, the Nationals received a total of six players in the August 2022 mega deal – C.J. Abrams, MacKenzie Gore, Hassell III, James Wood, Jarlin Susana, and Luke Voit.
Wood, Abrams and Gore are all under the age of 27 and enjoying successful seasons with the Nationals this year. Susana, the franchise’s No. 2 prospect per MLB Pipeline, is pitching for Double-A Harrisburg. The 34-year old Voit, who played in 53 games with the Nationals in 2022, is trying to resurrect his career in the Mexican League with Tigres de Quintana Roo.
Related: Nationals Announce Dylan Crews News After Leaving Braves Game