WEST PALM BEACH, FL - Rob Hassell III on Saturday drilled a two-out, bases-loaded double over the Astros’ left fielder, Colin Barbers’ head, to turn a 3-3 tie to a 6-3 lead for the Nationals. Marquis Grissom closed out the bottom of the ninth to earn his first save of the Spring. Hassell followed the Saturday game on Sunday with going 2-3 at the plate.

Hassell went 3-6 in the two games with 3 RBIs, two extra-base hits, and one stolen base. Defensively, Hassell also made a spectacular diving catch, robbing Wyatt Ford of a hit. Going into today’s day off, Hassell must feel good about how well his Spring is starting on his quest to make the Nationals’ Opening Day Roster.

On August 2, 2022, Hassell, along with CJ Abrams, Luke Voit, MacKenzie Gore, James Wood, and Jarlin Susana, were traded to the Washington Nationals in exchange for Juan Soto and Josh Bell. Six of those players were in the Nats’ uniforms this weekend, proudly playing for Washington. At the time of the trade, Rob Hassell III was the number #1 prospect in the San Diego organization.

When Hassell first arrived to begin play in the Nationals’ organization in August 2022, he was first assigned to A+ Wilmington, where he played ten games before being promoted to AA Harrisburg. After the 2022 season ended, the Nationals sent Hassell to the Fall League in Arizona. He then received what had proven to be a devastating injury when the left-handed batter fractured the hamate bone in his right wrist when a pitch hit him. This injury set the stage for his next two seasons. It would become a story of recovery, frustration, and perseverance. For the hamate bone surgery, if it’s a simple fracture, the player can usually return to play after two months. This injury proved not to be simple.

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