The Pirates planted the seed in Florida, and it's taking root in the Arizona desert.

In the spring, when the plant blooms in Lynchburg, Va., catcher Neil Walker will begin growing into a major-league third baseman.

Or so it appears.

Walker, 20, the Pirates' first-round pick in the 2004 draft, is taking ground balls at third base before games in the Arizona Fall League.

"Right now, it's preliminary," said Brian Graham, the Pirates' player development director. "But it gives him an option and us an option."

Walker began fielding ground balls at third base in the Instructional League in Bradenton, Fla.

"We started him on a program with footwork and with his hands to get used to it," Graham said. "It's early, but it looks like he has the agility, the balance, the coordination and the athleticism to do it."

"They asked me if I felt comfortable doing it," Walker said. "I told them, 'It's not in my hands. It's in your hands.' "

"Nothing's set in stone," Graham said. "I think he's going to be a big-league catcher, but his bat may be ready for the big leagues before his catching."

Walker, a Pine-Richland High School graduate, is one of several top prospects the Pirates have at the catching position.

Switch-hitter Ryan Doumit, drafted five years before Walker, spent most of the 2005 season with the Pirates, sharing the position with Humberto Cota.

Ronny Paulino, who hit more than .300 with Class AAA Indianapolis, joined the Pirates for a look in September. Mike McCuistion, a left-handed hitter, could begin next season with Class AA Altoona. Walker probably will start at Class A Lynchburg.

And Steve Lerud, another left-handed hitter who missed most of the 2005 season because of a broken hand, might start the season with Class A Hickory again before moving to Lynchburg.

When Lerud moves to Lynchburg -- if he does start the season at Hickory -- Walker could move to third base. Or to Altoona. Or both.

"There have been some people talking, but I don't know what they have in store for me," Walker said.

Walker, a switch-hitter, is 5 for 18 with a home run and two RBIs playing for the Peoria Saguaros in Arizona.

"He's probably the youngest guy in the league, but once the game starts you wouldn't know it," said Peoria hitting coach Hensley Meulens.

Meulens, the hitting coach for Indianapolis during the season, also is keeping close eyes on Brad Eldred. This first baseman is 6 for 17 with a home run, nine RBIs and only two strikeouts.

"He's doing a lot better," said Meulens, mindful Eldred had trouble making contact with the Pirates. "He's in a more relaxed atmosphere out here. There's not as much pressure and he's looked good."

"The key for Eldred is to have good at-bats," Graham said. "He needs work on commanding the strike zone and recognizing pitches."

When the Arizona Fall League ends Nov. 10, Eldred is scheduled to play winter ball in Mexico.

In 486 at-bats this year with Altoona, Indianapolis, the Pirates and Peoria, Eldred has a .270 batting average, 41 home runs, 111 RBIs and 161 strikeouts.

NOTES -- The Pirates continue negotiations on a multiyear contract with Joe Urbon, the agent for left fielder Jason Bay. "There is no news, but there's still dialogue," Urbon said. ... No news, either, on the coaching staff new Pirates manager Jim Tracy will work with next season. Former Los Angeles Dodgers pitching coach Jim Colborn and first base or bench coach Jim Lett said last week they'd be on Tracy's Pirates staff. No other coaching appointments have been announced, but there is growing speculation that Dodgers third base coach Glenn Hoffman could land with the Pirates.