It seems remarkable now, but the Pirates' management did not think enough of second baseman Neil Walker in the spring to give him an everyday role with Class AAA Indianapolis entering the season, choosing instead to groom him for super-utility duty.

All Walker has done in his first 82 big-league games since his late-May recall is bat .310 with nine home runs and 49 RBI, mostly out of the No. 3 spot in the order. He also has been sound at second base, where he is the everyday starter.

His approach is just about as old-school as it looks.

"I've just been trying to step in the box, see the ball, trust my hands and use the whole field," Walker said. "I'm not worried about where to hit it, what else is going on."

During the 1-5 road trip the Pirates just completed...