For the first time since spring training began, I’m away from the Pirates. Instead, I’m at Progressive Field covering the Indians’ home opener with the Toronto Blue Jays.

Yet I really wish I would have been in Lynchburg, Va., Thursday night to see Pedro Alvarez’s professional debut.

The Pirates third base prospect and first-round draft pick last year went 3-for-4 with a double, a home run that proved to the game-winning hit and four RBIs to lead the Lynchburg Hillcats to a 6-5 win over the Potomac Nationals in their high Class A Carolina League opener.

The Lynchburg News & Advance’s Chris Lang wrote in his game story that Hillcats general manager Paul Sunwall was joking that the Pirates had an airplane gassed up and ready to deliver Alvarez to Altoona as soon as the game was over.

The Pirates haven’t promoted Alvarez to their Class AA farm club that quickly. However, it’s clearly a matter of time before he is wearing a Curve uniform .

The more interesting question has become: When will Alvarez be in the major leagues?

Before spring training began, my prediction was sometime during the 2010 season. After watching him take batting practice for five minutes in spring training, I moved my timetable up to next year’s opener.

Now, it sure seems like we’re going to see him at PNC Park sometime this season _ and it’s going to be for more than picking up the organization’s minor league player of the year award.