Reese filled in well defensively last year when Larkin went down with leg and heel problems. Florida Marlins manager Jim Leyland called Reese ''the best defensive shortstop in the game.''
But Reese wore down late in the season and ended up hitting only .219. This spring, he's hitting about as well as anyone in camp - .360 with nine hits in 25 at bats.
''I feel pretty good,'' Reese said Wednesday, shortly after the Reds announced Larkin will have surgery on his neck. ''I'm not where I want to be, but I'm swinging the bat well and my confidence is up. I'm having the most fun this year that I've ever had in spring training.''
Reese has been Larkin's heir apparent since the Reds drafted him with their first pick in 1991 draft. Reese played 128 games last year, 110 at shortstop, making 15 errors in 447 chances there in his first season in the majors.
He hopes to avoid wearing down this season thanks to the extra muscle he added over the winter. And as for that compliment from Leyland, Reese was appreciative but will leave the hype to other people.
''He told me if I keep my head on straight, I can be in this game for a long time,'' Reese said. ''I appreciated that from Mr. Leyland, because I was a Pirates fan growing up and he was the manager. But I don't worry about that kind of stuff.''
Even with infielder Damian Jackson also figuring in the Reds' future plans, manager Jack McKeon says Reese is the fill-in for Larkin.
''I've said if Barry went down, it was clear who the shortstop was,'' McKeon said. ''But it's nice to have a guy like Jackson around who can spell Reese and play some other infield positions.''
Larkin's injury basically guarantees Jackson a spot on the team, even though he is hitting .205 and has a team-high five errors.
''It's an opportunity, but it's unfortunate it has to happen this way,'' Jackson said. ''I'm just going to go out and help the team and not try to prove I can play the position.''
The Reds proved they could be competitive without Larkin last year, going 46-43 in games he missed. Jackson believes they'll do it again this season.
''We have a lot of guys who are capable of doing a lot of things,'' Jackson said. ''Barry's definitely a factor, but he's the icing on the cake.''
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