​The Pittsburgh Pirates have made an intriguing low-risk move by acquiring outfielder Robert Hassell III from the Washington Nationals in exchange for cash considerations. While the transaction may not grab headlines like a blockbuster trade, it has the potential to become one of the more underrated acquisitions of the MLB season. After all, Hassell wasn’t just another prospect a few years ago; he was considered one of the best young players in all of baseball.MORE: 2 MLB teams that can swoop in and steal Tarik Skubal from the DodgersAt one point, Hassell ranked as a top-20 prospect in all of Major League Baseball. The former first-round pick was viewed as a future cornerstone outfielder thanks to his advanced hitting ability, athleticism, and high baseball IQ.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementThings haven’t gone according to plan at the major league level, however. Hassell, 24, appeared in 70 games for the Nationals last season, batting .223 with 3 home runs and 18 RBIs across 197 at-bats before eventually being designated for assignment.Rather than giving up on him completely, the Pirates saw an opportunity.Despite his struggles in the majors, Hassell’s minor league track record remains encouraging. Over his professional minor league career, he owns a .262 batting average while driving in 285 runs, showing the offensive ability that once made him one of baseball’s most highly regarded prospects.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementSometimes all a young player needs is a fresh start, and Pittsburgh is betting that a change of scenery can help Hassell rediscover the form that made him such an exciting prospect.General manager Ben Cherington deserves credit for taking advantage of the situation. Acquiring a player with Hassell’s pedigree for nothing more than cash considerations is exactly the type of move rebuilding and developing organizations should be making.If Hassell never reaches the ceiling scouts once envisioned, the Pirates haven’t sacrificed meaningful assets. But if he begins to put everything together, Pittsburgh may have landed a former elite prospect at an incredibly discounted price.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementIt’s a classic buy-low move with very little downside and significant upside. For a Pirates organization looking to continue building toward sustained success, those are exactly the kinds of calculated gambles worth taking.— Enjoy free coverage of the top news & trending stories on The Big Lead —