SAN DIEGO – The San Diego Padres selected outfielder Robert Hassell III from Independence High School (Tenn.) with the eighth overall pick in MLB’s 2020 First-Year Player Draft, Executive Vice President/General Manager A.J. Preller and Director of Amateur Scouting Mark Conner announced today.

Recommended by Padres Area Scout Tyler Stubblefield, Hassell III, 18, hit .423 in his junior year with eight doubles, 14 home runs, 22 stolen bases and 36 RBI. His stat line for his 2020 senior season, cut short by the COVID-19 pandemic, was .500/.667/.500 with a 1.167 OPS in 9 plate appearances. The two-time Tennessee Gatorade Player of the Year (2018-19 and 2019-20) went 5-2 on the mound last season in 59.0 IP with a 1.07 ERA, striking out 113 and walking 21. A member of the 2019 USA Baseball’s 18U National Team, the Franklin, Tenn., native hit .514 and led the club in most offensive categories, earning the World Baseball Softball Confederation’s 2019 International Player of the Year honors. The 6-2, 190-pound Vanderbilt commit is ranked as the fifth-best prep prospect (No. 16 overall) by Baseball America.

The Padres will make one more selection tonight with the 34th overall pick (Competitive Balance Round A). The draft will continue tomorrow at 2:00 p.m. PT with rounds 2-5.