I'll admit this is very premature and based on nothing but gut feelings, but I'm starting to think Steve Pearce could be this year's Neil Walker. By that I mean he's a guy who's been around forever and was once considered a hot prospect but then fell into disfavor and was forgotten. And like Walker, I think he might be a pleasant surprise for us this year.

Notwithstanding his throwing error yesterday, I'm totally impressed by how quickly Pearce has taken to third base and he looks far more comfortable than I would have dreamed given how little he's played there.

At the plate, he seems to have a better approach than I remember -- probably the Hurdle influence.

Until Alvarez starts heating up, I think Pearce should be platooning at third to spare Pedro having to face tough lefties. And even after Pedro gets it together, I think Pearce should be in the lineup against every lefthander, whether he's playing third, first or right.

I don't know whether Pearce is ready to be an everyday player, but he kills lefties and he gives us a real viable option to guys like Alvarez, Jones and Overbay who struggle against southpaws.

I can't put my finger on it, but I just have a good feeling about Pearce this year.