Padres select prep star Robert Hassell III No. 8 overall
Rob Tringali / Major League Baseball / Getty
With the eighth pick of the 2020 MLB Draft, the San Diego Padres selected Robert Hassell III, a prep outfielder out of Independence High School in Tennessee. He's the first high school player off the board.
Hassell, a Vanderbilt commit, will likely be forced to abandon his two-way stardom in pro ball, as his ceiling is much higher as a hitter than as a pitcher.
He's also got some skills on the basketball court.
Had to bang out one time. pic.twitter.com/vadfaLiCD9
— Robert Hassell III (@robert_hassell3) May 21, 2019
Bio
Age: 19
Position: OF
Height/Weight: 6-foot-2, 195 lbs
Bats/Throws: L/L
School: Independence HS
NCAA commit: Vanderbilt
Pick value: $5,176,900
Tools
- Top-ranked hitter in prep class
- Solid all-around plate approach with decent power
- Above-average speed
- Good arm strength
Why you're going to love this guy
- World Baseball Softball Confederation's 2019 International Player of the Year
- Led America with .514/.548/.886 in U-18 World Cup
- Very few holes in swing for high-school hitter
- Draws comparisons to Jarred Kelenic, Riley Greene
Things he'll need to overcome
- Sells out for power at times
- Might get stuck in corner outfield unless fielding improves