Pirates' Top Prospects Walker, McCutchen Join Curve
Published on August 15, 2006 under Eastern League (EL1)
Altoona Curve News Release
The Pittsburgh Pirates' two top-rated prospects, catcher Neil Walker and outfielder Andrew McCutchen have been assigned to the Altoona Curve (AA) roster. Walker and McCutchen will each make their Double-A debut Tuesday night, when the Curve take on the Connecticut Defenders (AA/San Francisco Giants) at Dodd Stadium in Norwich, CT.
Walker, 20, was the Pirates' first round selection (11th overall) in the 2004 June draft out of Pine-Richland High School in suburban Pittsburgh. The switch-hitting catcher was hitting .284 with three home runs and 35 RBI in 72 games with Class-A Lynchburg. Walker is rated by Baseball America as the Pirates' #1 prospect. Last month, he represented the Pirates' organization at the MLB Futures Game at PNC Park in his native Pittsburgh.
McCutchen, 19, was selected by Pittsburgh with the 11th overall selection in the 2005 June draft out of Fort Meade (FL) High School. The outfielder was batting .291 with 14 HR and 62 RBI in 114 games with low Class-A Hickory. At 19 years old, he becomes the youngest player in Altoona Curve history.
To make room on the roster for Walker and McCutchen, outfielder Vic Buttler has been promoted to Triple-A Indianapolis and catcher Milver Reyes has been added to the roster of rookie-level Bradenton.
Buttler, an Eastern League All-Star selection, hit .292 with five home runs, 51 RBI and 21 stolen bases in 109 games with the Curve. The 26-year old set a new single-season franchise record for triples in a season with 14.
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