Third baseman Pedro Alvarez, the Pittsburgh Pirates’ first-round draft pick last season and the organizations top prospect, was optioned to Class A Lynchburg on Monday as eight players were sent to the minor-league camp.
Alvarez who is viewed as a franchise type of the player that the Pirates can finally build around, hit a monster three-run homer in Sunday’s game against the Tampa Bay Rays. Alvarez has drawn comparisons from Willie Stargell¬†to Manny Ramirez from former players and baseball experts who were in Bradenton watching the Pirates this spring.
The Estimated Arrival for Alvarez is believed to be

September of 2009 according to Inside Pittsburgh Sports baseball insider John Perrotto.
Alvarez went 8-for-18 (.444) with three doubles and a home run in the GrapeFruit League
Pirates fans will also be seeing outfielder Jose Tabata this season who is currently projected to be a September callup according to many insiders. Tabata will be in the lineup tonight when the Pirates host the Tampa Bay Rays. The game can be seen on FSN Pittsburgh.