Catcher Neil Walker, the Richland native who was the Pirates' top draft pick in 2004, will miss six to eight weeks because of wrist surgery performed yesterday at Allegheny General Hospital.

A ligament on the outer part of Walker's left wrist tore as he was swinging the bat Nov. 9 in the penultimate game of the Arizona Fall League's regular season. The Pirates had him visit their hand specialist, Dr. Mark Baratz, who informed the team that rehabilitation or surgery would mend the injury.

Management chose surgery because it felt it presented the best chance to ensure Walker will be ready for the opening of spring training in mid-February. He will not participate in the voluntary minicamp for pitchers and catcher Jan. 10-15.

"It's not severe," director of player development Brian Graham said. "We were confident it could have been rehabbed, but we didn't want to take the chance that Neil wouldn't be able to start the spring healthy. He'll be just fine for spring training."

The latest issue of Baseball America rated Walker, 20, the best prospect in the Pirates' system. He starred this past season for Class A Hickory and Lynchburg, batting .297 with 12 home runs and 80 RBIs, although he struggled defensively with 23 passed balls.

He was the youngest player the Pirates assigned to the Arizona League to compete against the game's elite prospects, and he did not disappoint in batting .265 with two home runs and five RBIs in 17 games.

"You're talking about a kid who spent 90 percent of this past season in low Class A going against Class AAA players who are 4, 5 years older," Graham said. "He competed with what amounts to major-league talent."

Walker could return to Lynchburg to start the coming season, but there also is a chance he will be promoted to Class AA Altoona.

NOTE: Outfielder Jason Bay yesterday won for the second consecutive year the Tip O'Neill Award presented annually by the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame to that nation's top player. He is the third to win the award more than once, joining Larry Walker (nine times) and Eric Gagne (twice).