By John Enrietto
Eagle Sports Editor

HICKORY, N.C. — If you want to make a run through the minor leagues, don't walk.
Butler graduate and Pittsburgh Pirates pitching prospect Jake Cuffman apparently has learned that lesson.
Cuffman, 21, is being used as a set-up man out of the bullpen for Class AHickory this season and has struck out 13 batters while walking only three in 14X\c innings pitched thus far.
"It's much easier to pitch when you're not walking people,"Cuffman said.
The right-hander pitched for Williamsport in the New York-Penn League last season and walked 25 batters in 35 innings. In his two years of pitching in the Gulf Coast League, he had 42 strikeouts and 36 walks.
"Including spring training, I've walked four batters in 30 innings,"Cuffman said. "The things coaches kept telling me finally clicked. Work on mechanics, the walks disappear.
"I don't even think about it now. I take the mound knowing I'm not going to walk anybody."
Cuffman's fastball is between 90 and 94 mph right now. He throws a sinker and an occasional slider as well.
Cuffman admits he's been relying on his fastball to get hitters out in the South Atlantic League.
"They preach at this level to get command of your fastball,"he said. "You need to be able to put it where you want to put it.
"If you can't control your fastball, you're not going anywhere."
While Cuffman has reduced his walks, he has not been unhittable. In 10 appearances at Hickory, he sports an 0-3 record with a 3.07 earned run average.
Opposing batters are hitting .290 against him.
"What you like about Jake is he's a big-framed guy who is going to put on weight and get physically stronger,"said Hickory general manager David Haas. "He's already throwing hard and his mechanics have been consistent.
"He is a good-looking prospect. And the guys he's playing with know it."
Cameron Blair, Hickory's starting second baseman, has been with Cuffman in extended spring training as well.
"I was talking with Cameron just the other day and he told me Cuffman has outstanding stuff,"Haas said. "To put it in his words, he said 'That kid's going places.'"
Current Pirates reliever Matt Capps began last year in short relief at Hickory and ended last season with the major league club as a September call-up.
Capps made the Pirates out of spring training this year.
"Now Matt throws real hard, 95 or 96 miles per hour for 20 pitches or so,"Haas said. "He couldn't sustain that speed for more than three innings as a starter, so we made him a short reliever and it worked out.
"Jake doesn't throw quite as hard as Matt now, but he may. He's likely going to continue being a short man out of the bullpen, too."
That suits Cuffman just fine.
"Whatever gets me on the mound," he said. "Eventually, I may be tried as a closer, but it's not in the plans just yet.
"With me, it's a matter of growing up, maturing, understanding how my body works."
The Pirates invite 40 players in their minor league system to the Florida Instructional League at the end of each season. Cuffman has been invited after each of the past three seasons.
Cuffman hopes to move up the ladder during this season, either to Lynchburg of the Carolina League or to Class AAAltoona.
"I don't think I'll spend the whole year here, but if I do, I do. I won't be discouraged," he said.
"This is a good league.The guys who hit your mistakes in the New York-Penn League last year are in this league this year. They make you throw good pitches.
"But if you make good pitches, you can get anybody out anywhere,"Cuffman added.