Pirates draft Alvarez

For once, the Pirates took the high-priced prospect.

With the second overall pick in Thursday's Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft, the Pirates selected Vanderbilt third baseman Pedro Alvarez.

Alvarez, 21, is a power-hitting third baseman and has a major-league ready bat according to scouts. The 6-2, 225-pound Alvarez broke the hamate bone in his right hand in the first game this season. He came back and batted .317 with nine home runs, 15 doubles and 30 RBI in 40 games.

"Our scouts have been following Pedro's career at Vanderbilt and on the USA National Team for several years," said Greg Smith, Pittsburgh's director od scouting. "We're extremely pleased to have the oportunity to select Pedro and add him to our organization."

He was Baseball America's Freshman of the Year two years ago after slugging 22 home runs. He followed that up with 18 home runs his sophomore season but was slowed this year by the hand injury, which is completely healed.

Alvarez is represented by super-agent Scott Boras, who will likely demand a signing bonus in excess of $7 million and a major-league contract, meaning the club would have to burn minor-league options if it send Alvarez down.

The Pirates have until Aug. 15 to sign Alvarez or they lose his rights.

Tampa Bay took Tim Beckham, a high school shortstop from Griffin (Ga.), with the first pick. Beckham was also very high on the Pirates' draft board.