Independence baseball standout Robert Hassell III 'a freak' at the plate

Tom Kreager
The Tennessean

THOMPSON'S STATION — Robert Hassell III isn't tired of baseball.

Nothing is burning out the senior outfielder and ace pitcher at Independence.

Nothing.

He spent this past summer traveling the country and abroad to play the sport. He played in some of the best major league parks in the country. He played against the best players in the country his age.

And then he went overseas and played against the best players his age – period.

"There are sometimes when it's good to have a break," Hassell said. "But I wouldn't say there has been a time when I said, 'I can't do it.'

"Personally, I could be out on the field every day."

That's bad news for opposing teams.

Hassell, The Tennessean's 2019 Baseball Player of the Year, is expected to sign with Vanderbilt during the signing period that begins Wednesday. Vanderbilt recruited him as a two-way player – outfielder and pitcher.

Baseball America lists him as one of the top 10 high school baseball prospects for the 2020 MLB Draft, and MLB.com ranked him in August as the No. 14 high school prospect.

"As a hitter, he's the best I've seen (in high school)," Summit coach Chad Kirby said. "Kes Carter, back at Ravenwood in 2008, that's the closest thing.

"He's a freak. He can run, hit, hit for power. He's got the best strike zone recognition that I've ever seen."

Hassell, who was the Tennessee Gatorade Player of the Year in 2019,  hit .423 with 14 home runs and eight doubles this season. He stole 22 bases and had 36 RBIs from the leadoff spot.

On the mound, Hassell was 5-2 with a 1.07 ERA and struck out 113 batters while walking just 21 in 59 innings pitched.

"He could be a draft pick on the mound," Independence coach Mike McLaury said. "But he's just a better draft pick in the field."

Love of hitting

Independence senior Robert Hassell III takes batting practice in late September.

Hassell learned to hit at a young age, working with his father, Robert Hassell II, on his craft. His dad coached him until he began playing kid pitch.

"I just took pride in it at a young age," said Hassell, a left-hander with a natural swing. "I could never stay out of the batting cage. My dad coached me a lot.

"My dad has always been the best at dissecting my swing."

As the younger Hassell grew older, his dad had him coached by others. But he still worked with his swing.

Hassell takes pride in his swing. He's in total control of it when he walks up to the plate.

"We were talking in our office a few weeks ago," Kirby said. "We asked if he was going to get more walks or hits this year. 

"He may get more walks. Really, no one wants to chance it if there is no reason to. He's that kind of player."

From Tennessee to South Korea

From mid-June to mid-September, Hassell traveled from park to park. He played in major league parks in Chicago, Cleveland, Los Angeles (Dodgers), San Diego and Tampa and traveled to Taiwan and later South Korea, where he represented the United States' 18-Under national team in the Baseball World Cup. The team won silver, falling to Chinese Taipei.

"This summer was so awesome," Hassell said. "I could do that for a full year. I was constantly playing against the best players in the country and able to learn from the best coaches.

"To be around them was great."

This wasn't his first time playing on a big scene. He was on the 2013 South Nashville team that reached the Little League World Series

"The (Baseball World Cup) was a step up," Hassell said. "Everyone was better and older. 

"I looked up some of the Japanese and Korean kids. Some of the names sounded familiar. But I couldn't find anybody that played there."

Hassell led the U.S. team in batting average (.514), hits (18), runs (14), doubles (five), home runs (two) and RBIs (14). His RBIs, hits and runs led the event, while his home run total was tied for the event lead. 

"He had a great summer," McLaury said. "He works on his craft."

Reach Tom Kreager at 615-259-8089 or tkreager@tennessean.com and on Twitter @Kreager