Rendon cleared for baseball activities

Anthony Rendon, the Pirates potential Number one pick in the 2011 draft, has received complete clearance for all baseball activities.

Rendon has spent the past five months rehabbing an ankle injury (he suffered a fracture-dislocation on July 14).

Doctors told Rendon recently that he is OK to put on cleats and run the bases.

“I think I’m actually right on schedule, or maybe a few weeks ahead or a month,” Rendon said. “The doctor said he was very impressed with my work on my rehab. I’m ready to go.”

The third-baseman hit 394 with 26 home runs and 85 RBIs last season for Rice University. He has been compared to players such as Evan Longoria and Ryan Zimmerman.

The Pirates 105-loss season means they have the first overall pick for the 2011 draft (the first time since picking Bryan Bullington first overall in 2002). If Rendon was chosen, Pedro Alvarez would be moved to first base, giving the Bucs a lot of power from the corner infield positions.