Robert Hassell III didn’t waste any time. After all, his major league debut for the Washington Nationals on Thursday had been delayed a day by Wednesday’s rains. Time was of the essence. So he swung at the first pitch he saw from Atlanta Braves’ starter AJ Smith-Shawver and lined a single through the right side of the infield in the second inning.

Hassell has hit .288 with a .337 OBP, four homers and nine steals in 43 games at Triple-A this year.