In his freshman season, Hassell hit .407 with 48 hits, 15 doubles, 2 home runs and 29 RBIs with 10 stolen bases and 24 runs scored and was named the
Williamson County baseball player of the year. Following the season, he changed his commitment to
Vanderbilt University.[1] Hassell was named the Williamson County baseball player of the year again, as well as first team all-State by USA Today and an Underclass All-American by MaxPreps as a sophomore after batting .416 with nine doubles, six home runs and 52 RBIs.[2][3][4] As a junior, Hassell was named the Tennessee Gatorade Player of the Year after batting .423 with 14 home runs, eight doubles, 36 RBIs and 22 stolen bases while also posting a 5-2 record with a 1.07 ERA and 113 strikeouts to 21 walks in 59 innings pitched.[5][6] After the season, Hassell was named to the roster for the
United States national baseball team to compete in the 2019 World Baseball Softball Confederation U-18 Baseball World Cup[7] and won the Richard W. "Dick" Case Award as the team's most valuable player after leading the team in 10 different offensive categories.[8][9] Hassell was named the WBSC International Player of the Year in December 2019.[10] Hassell entered his senior season as one of the top high school prospects for the upcoming MLB draft and was named a preseason All-American by Baseball America.[11][12]
Professional career
San Diego Padres
Hassell was selected eighth overall in the
2020 Major League Baseball draft by the
San Diego Padres.[13] Hassell signed with the Padres on June 23, 2020, for a $4.3 million bonus.[14] After signing, he was assigned to the Padres' alternate training site as the minor-league season was canceled due to the
COVID-19 pandemic.[15]
Hassell was named to the Padres' 2021
spring training roster as a non-roster invitee.[16] He was assigned to the
Lake Elsinore Storm of the
Low-A West to start the 2021 minor-league season.[17] He was promoted to the
Fort Wayne TinCaps of the
High-A Central in August.[18] On September 1, in a game versus the
Great Lakes Loons, Hassell hit three home runs.[19] Over 110 games between the two teams, he slashed .302/.393/.470 with 11 home runs, 76 RBIs, 33 doubles, and 34 stolen bases.[20] Hassell was assigned to Fort Wayne to begin the 2022 season.[21] He was chosen to represent the Padres at the 2022
All-Star Futures Game.[22]