Padres land Vanderbilt commit Robert Hassell in latest ESPN mock

The shortened 2020 MLB draft is just two weeks away and ESPN’s Kiley McDaniel just released the second edition of his 2020 first-round mock draft. Unfortunately, McDaniel didn’t change a whole lot when it came to the Padres who once again select Robert Hassell, a Vanderbilt commit and current centerfielder for Independence High School in Tennessee.

Here’s what McDaniel had to say about the selection:

“Hassell has some very strong believers in the industry (including me, as you’ll see when my updated rankings come out in a week or so). San Diego is the first spot where he’s in play, and he’s really in play here, so it would likely be a bit below slot, helping set up a potential overpay at the Padres’ next pick. All of the top prep outfielders (Veen, Hassell, Austin Hendrick) have been mentioned here, in that order.”

On Perfectgame.org, Hassell III is listed as an OF/1B/LHP. At 6’2 and 190 pounds, he’s got a “lean high-waisted build” that projects to have plenty of room to get stronger in the future.

Here’s the rest of his profile from Perfect Game:

“Moves well in the outfield with light feet and good overall athleticism and bounce, can use his lower half more throwing. Left handed hitter, wide slightly open stance, has fast hands he uncoils well to start his swing, uphill swing plane with good extension out front, projects power, ball jumps when squared, loose and easy swing. Also pitched, quick compact delivery with a clean and fast arm stroke, high 3/4’s with some whip out front, some spinal tilt to get his arm through. Fastball topped out at 90 mph, shows a tight slider that bites hard and that he has feel for, flashed a change up. High level athlete with plenty of projection left, could end up as a two-way player if he goes to school. Good student, verbal commitment to Vanderbilt. Named to play in the Perfect Game All-American Classic.”