Pittsburgh Pirates: Best Picks From Each of the First 10 Rounds

PITTSBURGH, PA - OCTOBER 07: Tony Watson #44 of the Pittsburgh Pirates throws a pitch in the seventh inning during the National League Wild Card game against the Chicago Cubs at PNC Park on October 7, 2015 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images)
PITTSBURGH, PA - OCTOBER 07: Tony Watson #44 of the Pittsburgh Pirates throws a pitch in the seventh inning during the National League Wild Card game against the Chicago Cubs at PNC Park on October 7, 2015 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images) /
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Jul 17, 2021; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates former second baseman Dave Cash seen during a celebration honoring the 50th anniversary of the 1971 World Championship team before the game against the New York Mets at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
Jul 17, 2021; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates former second baseman Dave Cash seen during a celebration honoring the 50th anniversary of the 1971 World Championship team before the game against the New York Mets at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports /

Round 5: Dave Cash

The Pittsburgh Pirates selected shortstop Dave Cash in the fifth round of the 1966 MLB Draft. Although Cash was selected as a shortstop, he’d eventually slide over to the keystone, where he remained most of his career. Cash didn’t spend much time in Pittsburgh. He only had 1767 plate appearances across five different seasons. He was about a league-average hitter, posting a .285/.338/.365 line, .321 wOBA, and 101 wRC+. However, he did display good defense with +19 total zone runs. Plus, he has the designation of being part of baseball’s first-ever all-minority line-up.

He manned the hot corner during that day, which was just one of 41 times he’d ever appear at the position. He went 1-for-3 on the day, drawing a walk and striking out once. He was part of MLB and world history, even if he wasn’t the biggest name on the roster then.

Though after 1973, and after turning in the worst offensive numbers he posted in his career so far, the Pittsburgh Pirates dealt Cash to the Philadelphia Phillies for pitcher Ken Brett, who was brought up earlier. Cash really hit his stride in Philly. He put up similar hitting numbers, batting .296/.348/.371, leading to a .332 wOBA and 101 wRC+. However, he finally got to show off what he could do with the glove over a full season. Cash racked up +21 total zone runs in just three seasons. Brett made the all-star game every season he was with Philly.

After 1976, Cash signed with the Montreal Expos, where he posted a well below-average .277/.322/.355 line, .306 wOBA, and 88 wRC+. Even worse was his defense started to trend in the wrong direction. After the 1979 season, the Expos dealt Cash to the San Diego Padres for Bill Almon and Dan Briggs. Cash would spend his 1980 season as the Friars’ primary second baseman but was released before the start of the 1981 campaign.