BUTLER TWP— Jake Cuffman's support staff is gone. The Butler graduate only hopes the organization's support is not.

Cuffman, 22, recently completed his fourth full season as a pitcher in the Pittsburgh Pirates' organization. In the last two months, he's watched general manager Dave Littlefield, director of player development Brian Graham and senior scouting director Ed Creech get fired.

"That was tough,"Cuffman said. "I had a good, unique relationship with all of those guys. They drafted me and were bringing me through the system.

"Now all those guys are gone. I'm not sure where I stand or what (the Pirates) are going to do."

After throwing 56Z\c innings and appearing in 35 games last year, the right-hander threw only 18 innings in 15 games this year, shuttling between Hickory, State College and Lynchburg.

After a disastrous start at Class AHickory — 24.55 earned run average, seven strikeouts, 14 walks and 13 hits allowed in 7Z\c innings — Graham sent Cuffman to Class AAAltoona to work with pitching coach Ray Searage.

"I was there for a month and a half and Ray straightened me out,"Cuffman said. "Last year was my worst year numbers-wise, but it was my best year in terms of learning.

"I hope they don't just clean house and get rid of everybody. That guy is a great pitching coach. We've got some good coaches in the minor leagues."

After working with Searage and straightening out some arm soreness, Cuffman made two rehab starts at State College, winning one and losing one, striking out nine and walking five in 9X\c innings of work.

He was sent to Lynchburg, the Pirates' highest Class Aaffiliate, for the final week of the season. He made one appearance in relief with the Hillcats, pitching a scoreless inning and striking out one.

"They wanted me to see what the competition was like there because I'd probably start out at Lynchburg next season,"Cuffman said. "But the guys who told me that aren't here anymore."

Cuffman can't help but wonder if he'll still be with the Pirates next spring.

"I think I will be. ... Right now, I just don't know,"he said. "So much is going to happen over the next two months. A lot of my buddies may be out of baseball."

Cuffman said his problems in 2007 were more mental than physical.

"I had a horrible offseason, trying to do too much,"he said. "I was trying to get to the big leagues on one strong inning or something. I got out of whack with a bad start and got down on myself.

"Once you have a problem as a pitcher, though, the Pirates baby you so much, it's almost ridiculous. It was almost as if they were afraid to pitch me. Guys they like, they seem to be extremely cautious with. That hurts in a way because you can't build up arm strength.

"Pitchers need to pitch, then your body gets used to it. It's a different game now — no one ever heard of labrum surgery until 10 or 15 years ago,"Cuffman added.

Having been to the Florida Instructional League each of the past four years, Cuffman is resting at home this fall.

"The way I see it, next year is a fresh start for me either way, whether with the Pirates or somebody else," he said. "I know there's a couple of other teams that would be interested, but I want to stay (with the Pirates)."