CIN
Robert Hassell, OF
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Scouting report
Hassell wielded arguably the most advanced bat of the 2020 draft's high school hitters, spraying contact to all fields against upper-echelon high school pitching during his pre-draft summer. It was particularly impressive considering he often pitched on the showcase circuit as well. Somewhat stiff in the lower half, Hassell is not the sort of high-end speedster ideal for center field but his strides eat up space and his first step is pretty good. He looked more comfortable going back on balls last fall than he did as an amateur but closing the deal, especially approaching the wall, can still be an issue as Hassell is apt to lunge for balls late and often catches the ball way out away from his body. Hassell hit with substantially more power during 2020 instructs, then arrived to 2021 spring training (where he got a lot of run with the big league team) with a really steep, uphill swing, and I watched him swing through a lot of fastballs with lateral action during minor league spring training. Hassell's a tempestuous guy and seems to be cut from the same stone-having cloth as Weathers, Gore, and several other guys to whom the Padres have gravitated with their first round picks. I buy that he'll have an everyday hit/power combo eventually, and if he can end up playing center field, he really only needs to have one. (Alternate site, Fall Instructional League)