One of the top hitters for the Rochester Red Wings is heading to Major League Baseball.
Outfielder Robert Hassell III, who has overcome a slow start to become one of Rochester’s top hitters, officially received the call to the Washington Nationals on Wednesday, not long after the Wings lost a 5-2 day game in Syracuse that he did not play in. Media reports nationally and in Washington say that Hassell III is already in Washington and would have been in the starting lineup for Wednesday night’s game against Atlanta. However, that game was postponed due to rain.
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Hassell’s call-up comes as a result of bad news for former Red Wings outfielder Dylan Crews. The mega-prospect landed on the injured list on Wednesday with an oblique strain after leaving Tuesday’s game.
After a slow start that saw him hit as low as .225, Hassell used a hot month of May to raise his batting average to .288, the best on the team among qualifying hitters. The Tennessee native is tied for the team lead in stolen bases, with nine. The left-handed hitter has notched 47 hits, four home runs, and 24 RBI in 163 at-bats this season.
The No. 11 prospect in the Nationals’ system according to MLB.com Pipeline, Hassell was originally drafted by the San Diego Padres in the first round of the 2020 draft, eighth overall. He later came to Washington in the Juan Soto trade in 2022, alongside other now-former Red Wings like MacKenzie Gore, C.J. Abrams, and James Wood.
No corresponding move has been announced yet to fill Hassell’s spot on the Rochester roster, although Daylen Lile played Hassell’s usual spot in center during Wednesday’s game in Syracuse. The Red Wings will continue their series with the Mets on Thursday at 6:35 p.m., with righty Cade Cavalli set to take the mound against Syracuse right-hander Nolan McLean.
The call-up will have no affect on the Wings. they are pretty much going to be the worst team in the league for the first half. Once again today, the bullpen let them down, as they have done all year so far.
Nats can do whatever they need to do. We are numb to it all.