Major League Baseball

Pirates call up former top pick Neil Walker

Published May. 25, 2010 11:07 p.m. ET

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The 90-mile stretch of Interstate 74 that links Indianapolis with Cincinnati has fast become Neil Walker's favorite stretch of road.

He's driven it twice in the last two seasons, both times with the major leagues as his final destination.

The Pittsburgh Pirates called up the former first-round draft pick on Tuesday, rewarding him for his solid start at Triple-A Indianapolis. Pittsburgh put first baseman Steve Pearce on the 15-day disabled list with a sprained right ankle, suffered on Monday night.

The 24-year-old Walker was Pittsburgh's top pick in June 2004 - the 11th overall - as a catcher. He moved to third base in 2007 and got his first promotion last September, driving over from Indianapolis to join the Pirates in Cincinnati.

Did it again on Tuesday.

``It's two hours and I think my cell phone went out several times on the way, which was actually a good thing - watch the road a little bit as oppose to talking on the phone the entire time,'' Walker said. ``I've got that drive down.''

His next job is to stay in the majors for more than a month.

The switch-hitter batted .194 in 17 games (eight starts) last September, striking out 11 times in 36 at-bats. With Pedro Alvarez - a No. 2 pick in 2008 - in line to take over at third base eventually, Walker decided to diversify during spring training and started learning other positions.

He has played first base, second base and outfield, giving him more chances to get into the lineup. He also picked it up at the plate, batting .321 with six homers and 26 RBIs in 43 games. He led the International League with 18 doubles and was second with 26 extra-base hits.

``I think that's just part of the maturity process,'' Walker said. ``I think it just took time for me to kind of come into my own in terms of knowing what I do well, knowing what I don't do well, knowing how to take advantage of what I do well and going at it with 100 percent confidence.''

With third baseman Andy LaRoche bothered by a sore back, Walker had his spot in the lineup Tuesday against the Reds, batting second.

``We'll get him in as much as possible,'' manager John Russell said. ``He gives us flexibility. That's one of the reasons we moved him around in spring training. We don't want to lose sight of second base - he'll play some there, too. He was doing some very good things in Triple-A.''

Learning to play second base provided was Walker's biggest adjustment. He has played mostly first base and third base.

``There's so much that goes into playing second base,'' he said. ``That's been the largest learning curve.''

Walker could be at the forefront of a wave of new players. Alvarez, outfielder Jose Tabata and right-hander Brad Lincoln are expected to join him in the majors in the next few months, a group of top prospects entrusted with breaking the franchise's long cycle of losing.

``It's fun,'' Walker said. ``To watch those guys play on a daily basis and know what special players those guys are - that makes this special, too. Those three guys are not far behind. They're going to be up here pretty soon because they're doing a tremendous job at Triple-A.''

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