A week from today, the Pirates will make one of their most momentous decisions of the year with their first choice -- fourth overall -- in Major League Baseball's amateur draft.

Minor-league report Wednesday's results INDIANAPOLIS (30-21) lost to Buffalo, 11-6. LHP Sean Burnett (4-4, 4.37) allowed five runs and seven hits in three innings. He struck out one and walked three. RHP Brian Rogers (2.91) allowed four runs in one inning of relief. RF Michael Ryan (.248) went 2 for 5. ALTOONA (22-27) beat Akron, 6-3. RHP Luis Munoz (6-2, 3.38) allowed one unearned run in 6 2/3 innings. 3B Neil Walker (.281) went 1 for 4 with his 11th double and two RBIs. LYNCHBURG (26-24) beat Frederick, 2-0. RHP Todd Redmond (4-4, 4.33) pitched six shutout innings and allowed seven hits. He struck out four and walked none. SS Dan Schwartzbauer (.248) went 1 for 3 with an RBI. HICKORY (21-29) lost to Greenville, 5-3. RHP Jared Hughes (3-4, 4.21) allowed five runs in 3 1/3 innings. RF Jonel Pacheco (.306) went 2 for 4 with a double.

No one is identifying which prospect that might be, of course, but general manager Dave Littlefield made two items on the matter clear yesterday:

The Pirates will not base their decision on financial restrictions.

They will not necessarily avoid a pitcher, even though six of the past seven they selected in the first round -- three under Littlefield -- have had their careers derailed by arm surgeries.

On that first point, several of the top prospects in this class are represented by super-agent Scott Boras, whose signing bonus demands tend to be well above the norm. If those demands are not met, the player can refuse to sign and re-enter the draft in a later year.

Littlefield did not discuss specific players or agents, but he reiterated his stance that finances have not determined any of his first-round choices and that this will be the case again.

"All 30 teams have concerns about a variety of things, and signability is one of them. It's part of the process," he said. "But it's not the driving force. We've shown we can sign guys."

That stance has been supported by employees at all levels of the Pirates' organization, past and present, and one recently published figure backs it further: Baseball America, the sport's foremost draft authority, reported last week that the Pirates spent a total of $5,269,000 on their 2006 draft class, 11th highest of the majors' 30 teams. The Boston Red Sox's $8,507,000 was highest.

To the second point, Littlefield acknowledged the increased risk in using the first pick on a pitcher. But he was adamant that the Pirates' recent history, including 2006 first-rounder Brad Lincoln having reconstructive elbow surgery in April, will not be a deterrent.

"Anyone in the industry will tell you that pitchers are more of an issue because of the elbows and shoulders," he said. "Relative to our No. 1 pitchers having surgeries, it certainly is unfortunate, and we're working exhaustively to see that it doesn't happen again. But also understand that starting pitching is the key component in championship clubs."

He pointed to the Pirates being the only team in the majors with four internally produced starters in their rotation: Ian Snell, Tom Gorzelanny, Paul Maholm and Zach Duke.

"Building through pitching is exactly what we've worked to do here," Littlefield said.

There is a palpable sentiment that the Pirates covet Josh Vitters, a third baseman at a California high school who some see as having the best bat. If Vitters is gone with the top three picks and they still seek a position player, Matt Wieters, a hard-hitting catcher at Georgia Tech and Boras client, might be just as good.

Or the Pirates could take another pitcher from a deep pool of high school talent. They are known to have spent no less time scouting pitchers than other players.

Rocket on horizon

The Pirates almost surely will be part of Roger Clemens' Bronx return when they visit Yankee Stadium next week.

The New York Yankees have tabbed Monday in Chicago against the White Sox for Clemens' 2007 debut, putting Clemens on pace to pitch in New York against the Pirates June 9, a week from Saturday. If that comes to pass, it is possible the game's scheduled 1:05 p.m. start will be pushed back three hours to accommodate national television.

In eight starts against the Pirates, Clemens is 5-1 with a 2.92 ERA.

Buried treasure

Ryan Doumit rejoined the lineup after missing four starts to a slight concussion. He took Xavier Nady's spot in right field, even though Nady was riding a .380 tear -- 19 for 50 -- in the previous 12 games. Manager Jim Tracy said Doumit was healthy enough to catch.

Second baseman Freddy Sanchez returned after being lifted late in the game Tuesday because of a pinched shoulder.

When pitcher Masumi Kuwata joins Class AAA Indianapolis Friday, it will be as a reliever, Littlefield said. All of Kuwata's 21 seasons in Japan were spent as a starter.