Hot Stove: Walker willing to switch to stay with team

[buccoray61]

Hot Stove: Walker willing to switch to stay with team
Sunday, February 07, 2010
By Chuck Finder, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Pedro Alvarez pushes from behind, for either playing time in Class AAA Indianapolis or the parent club. Andy LaRoche stands in the way of both at third base.

So, stuck in the middle, is Neil Walker. Where is he to play in 2010?

His answer: Anywhere.

"I'm willing to do whatever it takes to make the team, whether it's go somewhere else on the field or do whatever's necessary," said Walker, the Pirates' 11th-overall draft choice in 2004 from Pine-Richland High School. "I feel like I'm capable of playing other positions if I need to."

Of the much-awaited ascension of the 2008 second-overall pick and the strong finish last season by the incumbent third baseman, who dabbled at second base in the Instructional League, Walker said: "I can't control any of that stuff. I have to prove that I'm athletic enough, that I'm viable as a player at any spot, if needed."

Pirates management has yet to approach him about potential utility work, but it seems to be in the air, if not the offing.

"When that time comes, or if it comes or if it doesn't come, I'll be prepared," Walker said. "I'm going into spring training with an open mind and the commitment to make changes if necessary, but also to try to help this team in any way, shape or form."

Walker, 24, a solid third baseman after the previous administration converted him from catcher, batted .194 in 36 at-bats at season's end in his first major-league experience.

"Neil, he's made a lot of progress," manager John Russell said of Walker, who batted .264 with 14 home runs and 64 RBIs in 95 games for Indianapolis. "He struggled early last year in Triple-A, but did come on strong at the end of the year. He came up in September and, you know, did OK.

"Neil still has some development to do, in our opinion. That doesn't mean he doesn't have a chance to make our club. He has to continue to work on his approach, continue to work on his conditioning, continue to work on his approach at the plate, and, obviously, defense. Hopefully, he can iron some of those things out. We're very happy that we have Neil Walker in our system. We're not closing the door on Neil in spring training. We will look at him -- with Pedro and Andy LaRoche, maybe looking at moving him around a little bit this year."

The switch-hitting Walker played this past winter in Venezuela on the Bravos steered by Pirates bullpen coach Luis Dorante. He hit .267 with four homers, 16 RBIs, nine doubles, a .370 on-base percentage and an interesting 34 games of experience. Even the U.S. Department of State warns potential travelers: Violent crime is pervasive throughout the country. The capital Caracas, leads the world in per-capita homicide rate.

"I guess the best way to describe it is, I probably won't be planning any vacations there anytime soon," Walker joked. "We were on a four-star resort on the ocean; we were off the mainland, on Margarita Island. That was the nicest part. Then when we were on the road, we were in Caracas and those places, and it was a little shaky.

"From a baseball standpoint, it was very good. The competition was good, the pitching ... It was a good part of my development."



Read more: http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/10038...#ixzz0erEgo8aO

[PittFaninVa]

Hot Stove: Walker willing to switch to stay with team
Sunday, February 07, 2010
By Chuck Finder, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Pedro Alvarez pushes from behind, for either playing time in Class AAA Indianapolis or the parent club. Andy LaRoche stands in the way of both at third base.

So, stuck in the middle, is Neil Walker. Where is he to play in 2010?

His answer: Anywhere.

"I'm willing to do whatever it takes to make the team, whether it's go somewhere else on the field or do whatever's necessary," said Walker, the Pirates' 11th-overall draft choice in 2004 from Pine-Richland High School. "I feel like I'm capable of playing other positions if I need to."

Of the much-awaited ascension of the 2008 second-overall pick and the strong finish last season by the incumbent third baseman, who dabbled at second base in the Instructional League, Walker said: "I can't control any of that stuff. I have to prove that I'm athletic enough, that I'm viable as a player at any spot, if needed."

Pirates management has yet to approach him about potential utility work, but it seems to be in the air, if not the offing.

"When that time comes, or if it comes or if it doesn't come, I'll be prepared," Walker said. "I'm going into spring training with an open mind and the commitment to make changes if necessary, but also to try to help this team in any way, shape or form."

Walker, 24, a solid third baseman after the previous administration converted him from catcher, batted .194 in 36 at-bats at season's end in his first major-league experience.

"Neil, he's made a lot of progress," manager John Russell said of Walker, who batted .264 with 14 home runs and 64 RBIs in 95 games for Indianapolis. "He struggled early last year in Triple-A, but did come on strong at the end of the year. He came up in September and, you know, did OK.

"Neil still has some development to do, in our opinion. That doesn't mean he doesn't have a chance to make our club. He has to continue to work on his approach, continue to work on his conditioning, continue to work on his approach at the plate, and, obviously, defense. Hopefully, he can iron some of those things out. We're very happy that we have Neil Walker in our system. We're not closing the door on Neil in spring training. We will look at him -- with Pedro and Andy LaRoche, maybe looking at moving him around a little bit this year."

The switch-hitting Walker played this past winter in Venezuela on the Bravos steered by Pirates bullpen coach Luis Dorante. He hit .267 with four homers, 16 RBIs, nine doubles, a .370 on-base percentage and an interesting 34 games of experience. Even the U.S. Department of State warns potential travelers: Violent crime is pervasive throughout the country. The capital Caracas, leads the world in per-capita homicide rate.

"I guess the best way to describe it is, I probably won't be planning any vacations there anytime soon," Walker joked. "We were on a four-star resort on the ocean; we were off the mainland, on Margarita Island. That was the nicest part. Then when we were on the road, we were in Caracas and those places, and it was a little shaky.

"From a baseball standpoint, it was very good. The competition was good, the pitching ... It was a good part of my development."



Read more: http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/10038...#ixzz0erEgo8aO

I like Neil Walker...I hope he succeeds.

[Kipper]

Wouldnt be bad to have a young utility player in the system. You never know what can happen over the course of a season.

sucks that all we'd get out of a 1st round is a utility player

[indybucfan]

Wouldnt be bad to have a young utility player in the system. You never know what can happen over the course of a season.

sucks that all we'd get out of a 1st round is a utility player

If he can continue to develop, I could see him becoming a valuable asset if he could play multiple positions. If he could, he could conceivably get 350-400 at bats playing all over the field. What's more, he came up a catcher so he could go back there in a pinch as well. But he still has work to do at the plate.

As far as the first round thing, I'd rather get some value out of him than nothing at all.

[PittFaninVa]

If he can continue to develop, I could see him becoming a valuable asset if he could play multiple positions. If he could, he could conceivably get 350-400 at bats playing all over the field. What's more, he came up a catcher so he could go back there in a pinch as well. But he still has work to do at the plate.

As far as the first round thing, I'd rather get some value out of him than nothing at all.

I'm not ready to concede that Walker will be a utility player....What if he goes to Indy this year and tears the cover off the ball? I would think his status in the organization might change and for the better.

[wvkeeper]

I would be more than happy if Neil Walker turned into Rob Mackowiak.

[indybucfan]

I'm not ready to concede that Walker will be a utility player....What if he goes to Indy this year and tears the cover off the ball? I would think his status in the organization might change and for the better.

If Pedro is going to be in Indy this year, I'd put Walker in the outfield and see how he handles that. Or maybe second base.

As far as being a utility guy, if he succeeds in the minors and forces the issue, I could see him starting out as a utility guy like a Tony Phillips. I'd hope for much more than Mackowiak.

[CROSSBONES]

The fact that LaRoche is thought to have more upside than Walker at 3rd and 2nd and that Clement has a job to lose at 1st and that the outfield has some upcoming depth and the fact that Walker can't bust into a perennial last place team, has to make him think that he is a long shot.

[PittFaninVa]

If Pedro is going to be in Indy this year, I'd put Walker in the outfield and see how he handles that. Or maybe second base.

As far as being a utility guy, if he succeeds in the minors and forces the issue, I could see him starting out as a utility guy like a Tony Phillips. I'd hope for much more than Mackowiak.

I'm not worried about Walker and his defense. He's a good enough athlete to play multiple positions, his bat is the major concern. Since the International league has the DH he could play there until Pedro comes up or management could find him another position in ST. In a nutshell Walker needs to develop his offensive game if he does that he'll be a major asset to the organization.

[exNCite]

I'm not worried about Walker and his defense. He's a good enough athlete to play multiple positions, his bat is the major concern. Since the International league has the DH he could play there until Pedro comes up or management could find him another position in ST. In a nutshell Walker needs to develop his offensive game if he does that he'll be a major asset to the organization.

That's a pretty fair assessment IMO. If his bat decides to finally show up, they'll find a place to play him. Not much different consideration than any other player gets.

[PittFaninVa]

That's a pretty fair assessment IMO. If his bat decides to finally show up, they'll find a place to play him. Not much different consideration than any other player gets.

He's still only 24....stranger things have happened.

[Kipper]

I'm not worried about Walker and his defense. He's a good enough athlete to play multiple positions, his bat is the major concern. Since the International league has the DH he could play there until Pedro comes up or management could find him another position in ST. In a nutshell Walker needs to develop his offensive game if he does that he'll be a major asset to the organization.

do you think Walker put too much emphasis on the transition to 3B and his defensive game that his offensive game got stunted development?

[Rumbunter]

Kipper, I think you nailed it with Walker along with his injuries to wrist and left knee...

[CROSSBONES]

I have been a "local guy" homer forever. I think you guys just joined me.

I would like to see Walker get a chance, somehow. But at this stage, it's also hoping someone fails.

If he turns out to be a "career" guy, he could turn out to be a great coach someday.

I wish him much luck!

[PittFaninVa]

do you think Walker put too much emphasis on the transition to 3B and his defensive game that his offensive game got stunted development?

Could be that, could be the injuries, could be he has played young at every at level so far, could be he's a local kid trying too hard to impress, could be he's trying to justify being a #1 draft pick. Could be he just isn't that good!

Walker has played well in spurts so it's in there, he just needs to develop more consistency, stay healthy and put up some numbers for an entire year.

The fact is Walker has a couple more options left so there isn’t really a pressing need to make a final judgment on him this year. It just would not be a very wise baseball decision to give up on a 24 yo kid with his ability at this point. Walker is close to being ML ready maybe this year he puts it together. He'll be just another interesting story to follow this year in a organization full of interesting stories.