Mar 17, 2009 10:07 AM EST

The Pirates assigned Pedro Alvarez, the second overall pick, to high-Class A Lynchburg on Monday.

He was among eight players cut from the Major League roster at spring training.

"He believes he's going to hurry right through the system," said 2004 first-rounder Neil Walker.

Alvarez batted .444 with five RBIs this spring.

"This was the first step of a very long journey, and, hopefully, a very successful one. I still have a lot to learn, a lot of adjustments to make to play with these guys," he said.

Via Pittsburgh Post-Gazette