Pirates prospect Neil Walker, seen here being tagged out during a March 9 spring training game with Cleveland, was assigned to minor-league camp Tuesday.

BRADENTON, Fla. — Neil Walker and Brian Bixler were demoted Tuesday but left the Pittsburgh Pirates spring training camp feeling good about their career paths.

The two infield prospects were reassigned to minor-league camp but both made positive impressions in major-league exhibition games.

Walker looked smooth in making the transition from catcher to third base. Meanwhile, Bixler played well defensively at shortstop and showed he could hold his own against major-league pitching.

"I thought they both did a real nice job," Pirates General Manager Dave Littlefield said. "They both have very promising futures."

Walker has been in spotlight since 2004, when the Pirates made him their first first-round draft choice from the Pittsburgh area.

The switch-hitter from Pine-Richland High School struggled last season after undergoing surgery on his left hand the previous offseason. He hit a combined .271 with five home runs and 38 RBI in 82 games with Class A Lynchburg and Class AA Altoona.

Walker proved healthy this spring, however, as he hit .370 (10-for-27) with two home runs. Most importantly, he showed promise at third base. The Pirates decided to move Walker to third after catcher Ronny Paulino batted .310 as a rookie last season and demonstrated a deft touch in handling the pitching staff.

"I feel good over there but I still need some work," Walker said. "That's why I'm going to minor-league camp, to get more reps there and play more innings. You can take all the ground balls you want during batting practice but there is no substitute for the experience you get in game situations. I'm learning something new every day."

Littlefield said: "I think we've all been a little surprised at how quickly Neil has adapted to a new position. However, it really speaks to his athletic ability, his agility and mobility and his baseball sense that he is making the transition this smoothly."

Walker is expected to start the season back at Altoona, where he played 10 games at the end of last season.

The Pirates originally planned to send Bixler to Altoona, too, but he may have earned his way to Class AAA Indianapolis as he hit .361 (13-for-36) with one homer in exhibition play.

"He has improved every season he has been in our system and he did a really good job this spring," Littlefield said. "He looks like he has a very good chance of being a solid major-league player."

Bixler has been primarily a shortstop since being the Pirates' second-round draft pick in 2004 from Eastern Michigan. However, he will likely see some time at second base this season as well since Pirates shortstop Jack Wilson is in the first year of a three-year, $20.2 million contract.