BRADENTON, Fla. (AP) - Third baseman Pedro Alvarez, the Pittsburgh Pirates' top draft pick last year, was among eight players sent back to their minor league camp on Monday.
Alvarez and right-hander Ron Uviedo were optioned to Class A Lynchburg. Right-hander Jimmy Barthmaier was optioned to Triple-A Indianapolis. Right-hander Jeff Sues and catcher Steve Lerud were optioned to Double-A Altoona.Right-handers Juan Mateo and Daniel McCutchen and infielder Shelby Ford were reassigned to minor league camp as the Pirates trimmed the number of players in their major league camp to 45.
Alvarez signed a major league contract with Pittsburgh last fall, so he already was on the 40-man roster when he reported to his first spring training camp.
"It was a lot of fun," said the 22-year-old Alvarez, a former Vanderbilt player. "I didn't really know what to expect. I took it all in, and it was great. It was a great thrill and I learned a lot."
Alvarez was 8-for-18 (.444) with one homer, five RBIs and three strikeouts this spring - an impressive debut for a player who has yet to play a professional game. He was the No. 2 pick in the June draft, but did not agree to a deal until after the minor league season ended.
In his final spring game Sunday, he hit a three-run homer in the ninth inning against Tampa Bay.
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