WASHINGTON -- The Nationals called up one of their top outfield prospects on Wednesday, promoting Robert Hassell III from Triple-A Rochester to take the roster spot of Dylan Crews, who landed on the 10-day injured list with a left oblique strain.
The 23-year-old Hassell will be making his big league debut when he enters his first game. He was in the starting lineup at center field on Wednesday before the Nationals and Braves game was postponed because of rain.
“It's amazing,” Hassell said at his locker in the Nationals’ clubhouse. “I came in here one other time last year for the prospect game, so I was a little bit familiar. But just finally being here, it means the world to me. It’s something I’ve dreamed of. To finally be here and be with these guys, I’m looking forward to winning some games.”
Hassell, ranked by MLB Pipeline as the No. 11 prospect in the Nationals' system, has hit .288 with a .337 OBP, four homers and nine steals in 43 games at Triple-A this year. MLB Pipeline ranked his scouting grades as hit: 50, power: 40, run: 60, arm: 55, field: 55, overall: 45.
“He’s been doing well,” manager Dave Martinez said. “He’s been hitting the ball all over the field, getting on base, playing good defense, running the bases well. I saw him do that in Spring Training as well. I’m looking forward to watching him play.”
Hassell's promotion was necessitated by injuries to both Crews and center fielder Jacob Young, who exited Saturday's game with a sore left shoulder after crashing into the outfield wall. Young is day to day and Crews was awaiting further medical evaluation on Wednesday.
“We don’t know the severity of it yet until the doctor sees him this afternoon,” Martinez said of Crews. “Hopefully, it’s nothing bad, it’s mild.”
Hassell, the eighth overall pick in the 2020 Draft out of Independence High School (Thompson's Station, Tenn.), was acquired by the Nats from the Padres in 2022 along with shortstop CJ Abrams, outfielder James Wood, left-hander MacKenzie Gore, Double-A Harrisburg right-hander Jarlin Susana (Nationals’ No. 2, MLB No. 66) and Luke Voit and two other players in exchange for Juan Soto and Josh Bell.
“It’s awesome,” Hassell said. “I think that’s the best-case scenario in a lot of people’s eyes. I think it was a big trade and everybody has high expectations. I’m glad to be in the same place: in The Show.”
As the tarp covered Nationals Park, Hassell will have to wait at least another day to make his Major League debut. He has been preparing for how he will handle it when he sees his name in the lineup again.
“I know this is the biggest stage and everything, but I think truly treating it like the same day that I’ve been doing is going to help me a lot and help me control the emotions,” Hassell said. “I’m super excited, a little bit nervous, and I expected that. But I’m looking forward to it. Like I said, I’ve been waiting my whole life for it.”