By John Fay
The Cincinnati Enquirer

Junior Griffey waits his turn at batting practice. (Jeff Swinger photos) | ZOOM |

Barry Larkin talks with his son DeShane, 10. | ZOOM |

Luke Hudson waits his turn to throw. | ZOOM |

Jose Rijo takes a smoke break while he ices his arm Saturday. | ZOOM |

Dane Sardinha takes a break between pitches. | ZOOM |

SARASOTA, Fla. - It's hard to stand out early in spring training. But Luke Hudson and Jose Guillen do - because of their right arms.

Hudson is a pitcher. Pitchers spend the early days of spring side by side on bullpen mounds, working their arms into shape. Hudson's stuff is so good, he stands out in any group.

"It's always been like that," Hudson says. "Ever since Little League, I could throw harder than anyone else."

Hudson's problem is that his ability to control that great stuff is sporadic. If he shows he can, he'll make the major-league team.

Guillen is an outfielder. His arm is about as good as Hudson's. Even in outfield drills, it stands out.

Reds manager Bob Boone says it's the best in baseball. Guillen's arm is a nice luxury, but with the outfield set, Guillen's chance of making the team will hinge on his ability to hit coming off the bench.

Here's a look at how Hudson and Guillen fit into the Reds' plans and their chances of making the club.

• • •

Hudson came to the Reds in the trade that sent Pokey Reese to the Colorado Rockies in 2001.

The Reds have been trying to figure a way to get Hudson into the big leagues ever since. His stats aren't great: 26-40 with a 4.18 ERA in five minor-league seasons.

But when you throw 95 mph and have a wicked curve, the numbers should turn around.

The Reds switched Hudson from starting to relief and back again, trying to find some consistency.

Hudson showed why the Reds are so high on him in his big-league debut last season. Hudson came in during the eighth inning of a game July 1 against the Houston Astros.

His first pitch crossed home plate over the head of the batter and went to the backstop. It registered 96 mph on the radar board.

But Hudson tamed his pitches, settled in and threw a perfect inning that proved key in the Reds' 7-5 victory.

"It was surreal," Hudson says. "That's the only way to describe it. It was crazy. To have 35,000 cheering for you is pretty wild."

Hudson's third appearance showed what can happen when his control abandons him. He gave up three runs without allowing a hit, thanks to four walks.

Hudson made some major strides in the Arizona Fall League this offseason. He went 3-1 with a 3.98 ERA. He struck out 45 and walked 14 in only 31 2/3 innings.

He has carried that over into spring training.

"He's throwing really good," Boone says. "His stuff is at the top of the charts. It's a matter of whether he can control it. He has to show that in a game."

• • •

In 1997, the Pittsburgh Pirates were talking about Guillen the way the Reds are talking about Adam Dunn and Austin Kearns. Guillen started in right field for the Pirates that year at age 20. He was the youngest player to start an opener for the Pirates since Bill Mazeroski in 1957.

Guillen acquitted himself well as rookie. He hit .267 with 14 home runs and 70 RBI. His numbers for 1998 were similar: .267, 14 homers, 84 RBI.

But the Pirates soured on him in 1999. He split time between Triple-A and Pittsburgh. He was traded to Tampa Bay in July.

He spent 2000 and 2001 with Tampa Bay, again splitting time between Triple-A and the big leagues

The Devils Rays released him after the 2001 season. He signed as a free agent with Arizona, but Guillen says manager Bob Brenly made promises he didn't keep.

"He told me I was the fourth outfielder," Guillen says. "Danny Bautista got hurt. I played for five or six days, then I went 0-for-9 and he put me on the bench. For six days, I don't play."

Arizona designated him for assignment July 15, and Colorado signed him 11 days later. But after five games in Triple-A, Guillen asked for his release.

He was out of work for three weeks before the Reds picked him up.

After filling in while Kearns was injured, Guillen led the Reds with 16 RBI in September.

"I know I can still play every day," he says. "I want to get some at-bats and show people."

The starting outfield of Kearns, Dunn and Ken Griffey Jr. will get nearly all the playing time if the three stay healthy.

"Guillen's probably our best guy off the bench," Boone says. "Hopefully, Dunn, Kearns and Griffey all get 650 at-bats. But in reality, five (outfielders) will play quite a bit."

Guillen would seem to be safely among that five.

But it's not that simple. Guillen's contract is non-guaranteed. That means the Reds can release him and owe him only termination pay.

Ruben Mateo, Reggie Taylor and Wily Mo Pena are all out of options, so the Reds risk losing them if they try to send them to the minors.

"I don't think I'm fighting for a job," Guillen says. "But whatever happens, happens. I know I can still play."

E-mail jfay@enquirer.com