Nate McLouth for Gold Glove?

Sure, why not?

He has a 1.000 fielding percentage, joining the Los Angeles Angels' Torii Hunter as Major League Baseball's only errorless center fielders with 100 or more games at the position. And this despite McLouth ranking seventh in total chances and sixth in innings played. He also ranks eighth with five outfield assists and, in a less tangible aspect, has remained sharply aware of all situations on the basepaths.

The lone negative is an .828 zone rating, which ranks last among center fielders with 100 or more games. That rating, by Stats Inc., tracks the percentage of fly balls caught by an outfielder in his typical defensive zone. But even that probably can be downplayed. McLouth plays behind the majors' worst pitching staff, making it immensely likely that more balls are hit his way with greater authority.

At any rate, perhaps the larger question is this: How much longer will McLouth be the Pirates' center fielder?

It seems crazy to ask, given the value in having a power bat at that position. But top prospect Andrew McCutchen should be ready at some point next season, and he profiles as a dynamic defensive player in addition to a power bat.

"The best way to answer that, given our ballpark, is that the best scenario is to have two center fielders," general manager Neal Huntington said. "We need one to patrol left, one to patrol center. If we can get corner production from one, that's good. If we can get that from both, that's ideal. But we feel like we need to have two athletic outfielders who can run the ball down."

And what does that mean for McLouth?

"The answer is that we would be very comfortable with Nate going forward in center field," Huntington continued. "As the club shakes out, one year, two year, three years down the road, we'll have to see what's the best club to put on the field at that time."

This much is known: McLouth wants to stay put.

"Oh, of course," he said. "This is my first year of being out there, and I think I've improved every day and will continue to improve."

He credited first base coach Lou Frazier, the team's outfield instructor.

"I think I've put in a ton of work with Lou, behind the scenes and out there before games. But the biggest thing is the game experience. I've worked on my angles, my routes, and I think it's all gone well. Honestly, I feel good about it. I feel like it's been a pretty decent year for me."

That two-center-fielder plan got a tryout last night, with Nyjer Morgan going to left, Brandon Moss shifting across to right and McLouth remaining in center.

"These are two guys who can track it down, and that's what we want," manager John Russell said of Morgan and McLouth.

The other quality Russell sought was some zip for a previously lifeless lineup, placing the red-hot Morgan at leadoff and McLouth right behind him. Russell and his coaches had discussed doing that in spring training -- a "speed lineup," he called it -- but rarely followed up.

• Scott Boras, agent for first-round draft pick Pedro Alvarez, did not return calls yesterday seeking an explanation for why his client has failed to report to the Pirates, 11 days after agreeing to a $6 million bonus.

• Third baseman Andy LaRoche and his 0-for-23 streak were scratched from the starting lineup in favor of Doug Mientkiewicz.

• The Pirates' rookie-level team in Bradenton clinched the Gulf Coast League's best regular-season record by improving to 37-18. The team will face the Philadelphia Phillies' entry in a one-game playoff tomorrow and, with a victory, would play host to the best-of-three final.

• Major League Baseball's implementation of instant replay, which begins tomorrow for three games, will be tested today at PNC Park, the Pirates announced.