PITTSBURGH - With the addition of Zach Duke, Ian Snell, Ryan Doumit, Brad Eldred, the future of the Pittsburgh Pirates is fast becoming the present.

And none of the former Class AAA Indianapolis players has filled a void like center fielder Chris Duffy.

The 25-year-old has become the Pirates' everyday center fielder and leadoff hitter. He will likely maintain both roles for the rest of the season.

"It looks like it's my job to lose," Duffy admitted.

That's a far cry from his first stint with the team. Duffy was called up April 7 when second baseman Jose Castillo went on the disabled list. He had just six at bats and one hit in two weeks before being returned to Indianapolis.

"I never felt comfortable that first time," Duffy said. "I was called on to pinch-hit a few times and I had never pinch-hit before in my career."

He hasn't had to pinch-hit lately. Entering this week's three-game series in Florida, Duffy had hit safely in each of his last seven starts. He has 10 hits in his last 32 at bats, including a pair of doubles.

Duffy has committed just one error in center field and has made a few diving catches.

"People have said that I don't like younger players," Pirate manager Lloyd McClendon said. "That's not true. I don't like younger players who can't help us win.

"This group of young players can help us win. There's always a little extra energy when a young guy comes to the big leagues and our veteran players, guys like (Jose) Mesa, (Mark) Redman, (Brian) Meadows and (Matt) Lawton have helped bring these guys along."

Duffy agreed.

"There's been no animosity," he said. "There is no problem in this clubhouse. Everybody has made us feel a part of things."

Duffy admitted feeling a "comfort zone" now that some of his former teammates have joined him in Pittsburgh.

"It feels good playing with guys you came up through the system with," Duffy said. "We've won every step of the way and we want to win here.

"We've been talking about being the group of guys who were going to help the Pirates turn things around. Now we're here."

And they're still coming.

Indianapolis relief pitchers Mike Johnston (2.70 earned run average) and Mark Corey (2.27 ERA) have both been with the Pirates before. So has outfielder Nate McLouth (hitting .297 with 29 stolen bases).

Catcher Ronny Paulino is hitting .353 with 10 homers in fewer than 150 at-bats in Class AAA.

"There are more guys on the way, believe me," Duffy said. "That's a talented team down there."

An eighth-round draft pick in 2001, Duffy stole 115 bases during his first four minor league seasons. He was voted the Altoona Curve's MVP last season and is the Curve's career stolen base leader with 66.

Duffy had 20 stolen bases in Class AAA this year before coming to Pittsburgh, where he has yet to attempt to steal a base.

"They've taken a lot of the running game out of the game up here," Duffy said. "Pitchers are going to the plate a lot quicker and it's tougher to get a lead.

"Up until now, I've stolen bases strictly on my speed. It's tougher up here. I have to get a read on the pitchers and that takes time."

But Duffy expects he'll steal his share of bases eventually. He also expects to contribute to the Pirates' .441 slugging percentage from the leadoff spot this season, which is the highest in the National League.

He has come a long way in a short time, from never playing a game above Class AA before last year to almost making the big club out of spring training to becoming the Pirates' starting center fielder.

"It's been an interesting year," Duffy said. "This spring training was my first major league camp and I had no idea what to expect. I just wanted to take advantage of every second I was there.

"I wasn't disappointed I didn't make the team. I went up to Triple-A. It was still a promotion. Just give 100 percent and play hard every day.

"I knew I wasn't gonna make a diving catch or get a hit every game. Just work hard and things will happen," Duffy added.

He's proof of that.