Peter Diana, Post-Gazette Brian Bixler, 24, shortstop for Indianapolis.

By Paul Meyer, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

The startling aspect of the Pirates' 2004 amateur draft is the attrition rate.

The Pirates drafted 50 players that June and signed 27, including 15 of the first 17.

Less than three years later -- three years is usually a good barometer before judging a class -- only 13 of those 27 remain.

"It's kind of strange," said Neil Walker, the Pine-Richland High School graduate who was the Pirates' first pick that summer. "It makes you realize how quickly things can happen and how crazy it can be."

"It's a little surprising," said Brian Bixler, the Pirates' second pick that year. "It's crazy and shows you how time goes so fast. All of a sudden, they're gone."

	Peter Diana, Post-Gazette Neil Walker, 21, third baseman for Altoona. Click photo for larger image. Related articles Looking ahead: The First-year player draft The Top 30: The first round of the 2004 draft

For example, Matt Guillory, the 11th-round pick in 2004; Jermel Lomack, 14th; Matthew Bishop, 17th; Derek Drage, 21st; and Mike Hofius, 22nd, played with Walker and Bixler at Class A Hickory in 2005.

Walker and Bixler moved on. The other five are gone.

"It's part of the game," Bixler said, "but you feel for them."

In reality, only 12 players from that draft currently play in the organization.

Right-hander Joe Bauserman, the fourth-round pick out of Lincoln High School in Tallahassee, Fla., signed a letter of intent to play football at Ohio State while in high school.

After Bauserman went 6-8 with a 4.01 earned run average with Hickory last season, he acted on that letter of intent. He's trying out as a quarterback with the Buckeyes this year, although his baseball rights belong to the Pirates.

"He's a good dude," said Bixler, who is from Sandusky, Ohio. "I wish him only the best, and not just because I'm a Buckeye fan."

Bixler, drafted out of Eastern Michigan University, has made the most progress of those remaining from the 2004 class.

He's playing regularly at shortstop for Class AAA Indianapolis, but has dabbled a bit at second base.

"We'll play him there from time to time to make sure he's done it, so it won't be a complete shock to his system," Indianapolis manager Trent Jewett said.

Adding second base to his resume was part of the plan for Bixler this season. He played shortstop exclusively until a couple of weeks ago.

"You wanted him to get settled in at his primary position," Jewett said. "He seemed to have done that in the first quarter of the season. He's a future big leaguer, although his role hasn't been determined."

"It's something I expected," Bixler said of the second-base piece. "You take it in stride. It's better to be versatile."

Especially with versatility lover Jim Tracy managing the Pirates.

Bixler had a solid major-league spring training camp this year, and Tracy should get another look at Bixler by September.

Meanwhile, Bixler continues to develop with Jewett.

"He's a quiet kid and a very proud kid," Jewett said. "He has good hands, good strength. And it's neat to have a young player who's wrapped up in the game."

Bixler's hastened his arrival in the major leagues by playing in the Hawaiian Winter League after last season.

"It was valuable," Bixler said. "It helped me get more at-bats. You didn't play every day, so it helped me learn how to prepare."

Bixler also is learning about off-the-field stuff with the Indians, who have several players who have played in the majors.

"You see a little bit of the business side of [the game]," he said.

Bixler and Walker roomed together during their season at Hickory, and Walker follows his friend's progress closely.

"It's fun to watch and see what he's doing," said Walker, the only 2004 draftee playing at Class AA Altoona. "We both feel very fortunate. At the same time, we've both worked hard and we both wouldn't expect anything less."

Walker, the 11th player drafted overall in '04, began his career as a catcher but, even on draft day, there was speculation he eventually would change positions.

That change to third base became official in spring training, although Walker had done drills at third base in prior years.

"He's handled it extremely well," Altoona manager Tim Leiper said of Walker's move to third base. "You can't tell by watching him that he hasn't played third base his whole life."

Leiper worked in the Baltimore organization several years ago and heard about Cal Ripken Jr.'s move from shortstop to third base.

"Cal's dad told him it would take 100 games before he felt good [at third base]," Leiper said.

"Sure enough, it took 100 games. Walker's done it in about 40 games."

The hardest aspect of playing third base?

"Slow rollers, coming in on balls, the throwing angles," Walker said. "That's been the biggest challenge so far. We've been working on it."

Walker has become one the Curve's top offensive players as he works toward a promotion to Indianapolis.

"He's getting his hits," Leiper said. "It clicks right before your eyes. Guys become good hitters, then they become power hitters. This guy's a good enough hitter that he'll hit his share of home runs."

"I'm very happy with where I am," Walker said. "I think I've made tremendous strides."

Nobody in the organization doubts that Walker and Bixler will play in the major leagues. And if the Pirates can develop another major-leaguer or two from this class, it will rank as a decent draft.

"Hopefully, guys will pan out," Walker said. "You always want your class to do well. Some guys haven't moved, but you try not to worry."

Third baseman Eddie Prasch, the Pirates' third-round pick, is among those who haven't moved much. He's in his second season at Hickory and still struggling offensively.

The Pirates' best hopes for another player or two who will contribute rest in the rotation at high Class A Lynchburg.

Left-hander Kyle Bloom, the fifth-round pick, and right-handers Derek Hankins, 10th, and Todd Redmond, 39th, are making some progress.

Redmond, a 6-foot-3, 185-pounder out of St. Petersburg (Fla.) Community College, might be the most worth watching.

"He's definitely an interesting guy," said Brian Graham, the Pirates' senior director of player development. "His stuff is average, but his composure and competitiveness are above average. This guy has something special.

"He's like Charles Nagy. He has a knack for getting outs when he has to get outs."

Nagy, a mainstay in Cleveland's rotation in the 1990s, was 129-103 with a 4.51 earned run average.

"We think [Redmond's] a big-leaguer for sure," said Ed Creech, the Pirates' senior director of scouting. "Hitters don't see the ball real well out of his hand, and he's not afraid on the mound."