Pearce settles in right

By MIKE HENRY
mhenry@bradenton.com

BRADENTON -- After going 0-for-5 in Sunday's 9-7, 10-inning loss against the Tigers, Pirates 24-year-old outfielder Steve Pearce feared the worst when he was summoned to manager John Russell's office this morning.
Instead of being one of 12 players cut from the major-league camp, however, Pearce was excited to learn the Pirates plan to use him exclusively in the outfield for the remainder of the spring.
Pearce, who lives in Lakeland, was being tried in both right field and at first base before today.
"Right now, they think my future is as an outfielder, so that's what I have to take seriously," said Pearce, who is batting .241 with seven strikeouts in 29 at-bats but leads the team with three home runs and eight RBIs.
"I know I have to go out and work my butt off as hard as I can, because that's the only way I'm going to be able to stay."
Pearce is one of Pittsburgh's top prospects, being named Minor League Player of the Year last season after combining to hit .333 with 31 home runs and 113 RBIs at Lynchburg, Altoona and Indianapolis.
"We wanted to make sure he understands we aren't expecting him to be a Gold Glove in right field, but what we expect (by making the move) is we are going to help him reach his potential, which is sizeable," said Pirates general manager Neal Huntington.
"We've asked too much of him as far as trying to develop at two positions and make the club. He's more accomplished at first base, and this allows him to put his focus on the outfield for the time being.
"He's in major-league camp, so he has a chance (to make the team). He's swung the bat well at times and been thwarted by good major-league pitchers at times, so there is still a work in progress."
Huntington said there currently are no discussions about trying to move one of the Pirates starting outfielders, such as right fielder Xavier Nady or left fielder Jason Bay, to make room for Pearce. Adam LaRoche is entrenched at first base.
Pearce was ecstatic when he learned he is staying in major league camp for a while. "I know what I can do, and they're trying to get the most out of my ability. I take that as a compliment," he said.