Zach Duke: Was 15-6 with a 1.46 ERA in the minors last summer. Click photo for larger image.

When Zach Duke looks back on his mind-numbing 2004, he shakes his head. He was the Pirates' minor-league pitcher of the year, producing a 15-6 record, 142 strikeouts in 148 1/3 innings and a subatomic 1.46 earned run average. He allowed more than two earned runs in only one of his 26 starts.

"The things that happened last year were just ... so perfect," he said. "It was, like, 'Man, I shouldn't have gotten out of that jam there, but I did somehow.' I just don't know if I'll have another year like that again. I'd like to, but no one expects something like that."

When Duke looks ahead to the coming season, he has a similar reaction: He shakes his head and does not know what to expect or where to expect it.

The Pirates were so taken by Duke's showing that they are planning to give him a long look in spring training to become part of their starting rotation immediately, even though he is only 21 and has not pitched above Class AA.

A more realistic scenario -- and the one management has outlined to Duke -- is that he might reach Pittsburgh by year's end.

"I don't know where I'll start out, but I know that the level where I start probably will be a pretty good indication of where I end up," Duke said. "That's the approach I'm taking, but I'm not going to put any emphasis on it either way. I'm just going to go out there and do my job."

Duke started last season with Lynchburg in high Class A and went 10-5 with a 1.39 ERA. In mid-July, he was promoted to Class AA Altoona but did not stumble in the slightest, going 5-1 with a 1.58 ERA.

A 6-foot-2 left-hander, Duke has a fastball that consistently hits 90-92 mph, mixes speeds effectively and has a reputation for learning quickly how to outwit a hitter. He acknowledges a need to improve his two-seam fastball and changeup, but his repertoire generally is viewed as major-league ready.

"All he needs is experience and better command," director of player development Brian Graham said. "He is a solid- average pitcher in terms of stuff, but that's not the thing with Zach. What sets him apart are intangibles, his maturity, his ability to watch hitters' swings and adjust to them, taking care of men on base. That's what makes him special."

Duke was invited by the team to attend a game at PNC Park in September, and he said the experience has resonated with him through the winter.

"Think about it all the time," he said. "You look at that atmosphere and say to yourself, 'Man, I can do this.' I feel like I can pitch at that level. I feel like I have the necessary stuff. I don't know. It would just be fun to try it out. We'll see."

Small ball

The Pirates sold 9,000 tickets to spring training games yesterday, the first day single-game tickets could be purchased. Fans began lining up at 4:30 a.m. at the box office of McKechnie Field in Bradenton, Fla. The March 20 game against the Boston Red Sox sold out, the Pirates' fastest sellout for an exhibition. Also, the March 4 and 16 games against the New York Yankees have only bleacher seats left.

Payroll update: The Pirates have $27.79 million -- minus an unknown portion of Matt Lawton's $7.25 million salary being paid by the Cleveland Indians -- committed to their 11 players signed for the coming season.

The arbitration hearing for the Pirates and Rob Mackowiak is scheduled for Feb. 10.

How powerful a weapon is arbitration for the players? The seven eligible Pirates who agreed to new deals saw their salaries soar from a combined $7.92 million last season to $14.9 million for the coming season.

Aramis Ramirez's value has not dipped much since the Pirates traded him, judging by the salary figures he and the Chicago Cubs have exchanged for arbitration: The Cubs' figure is $8 million, Ramirez's $10.25 million. He made $6 million last season.

The Pirates are uncertain about their outfield and first base, but that apparently does not trouble Craig Wilson: "Honestly, the only thing I'm looking at is that we open at home against Milwaukee on April 4 and we'll be going against Ben Sheets," he said. "I owe him a little payback." He is 0 for 13 with seven strikeouts in his career against Sheets.

Mackowiak and Wilson are two of the nine players scheduled to sign free autographs at the 15th PirateFest, which runs Friday-Sunday at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center. The rest: Jack Wilson, Oliver Perez, Jason Bay, Kip Wells, Josh Fogg, Mike Gonzalez and Tike Redman. Owner Kevin McClatchy and general manager Dave Littlefield are among the management officials who will take questions from fans. Also, the team will introduce its new alternate uniform with pinstripes.

Twenty-five days until pitchers and catchers report.