By John Fay
The Cincinnati Enquirer

SARASOTA, Fla. - Reds manager Bob Boone says you have to look at only one spot in his projected Opening Day lineup to see its strength.

"You look at the lineup, and I've got (Sean) Casey hitting sixth," Boone said. "That should tell you we're pretty good."

Boone used 129 different lineups last year. A lot of the changes were because of injuries.

This spring, Boone has settled on one lineup and used it every time his eight regulars have played:

• Barry Larkin
• Aaron Boone
• Ken Griffey Jr.
• Austin Kearns
• Adam Dunn
• Sean Casey
• Brandon Larson
• Jason LaRue

When Larkin hasn't played, Boone has used Felipe Lopez to hit leadoff.

"I like what I've seen from those two leading off," Boone said.

The leadoff spot was a question coming in. Todd Walker, who was traded to the Boston Red Sox in the offseason, hit first 84 times last year - more than any other Red.

It was a given that Larkin would be there if he were healthy. Larkin hit leadoff 57 times last year. He was moved down in the order when he struggled at the plate.

If Larkin performs like the .296 lifetime hitter he is, he'll be a good leadoff man.

But Boone doesn't plan on playing Larkin 162 games, so he had to find someone to lead off on the days Larkin doesn't play.

Boone mentioned Dunn as a possibility over the winter. But Boone hasn't used Dunn there this spring, and he might not at all, particularly if Lopez continues to be effective there.

By leading off with Lopez, Boone can leave the rest of the lineup unchanged when Larkin rests.

Lopez hit .227 last year for Toronto. The Reds think that's a result of being rushed to the big leagues. Lopez hit .280 as a minor-leaguer and has the speed to hit leadoff.

He has impressed the Reds so far.

"He's major-league ready," Boone said. "He just has to play."

Boone also had to settle on a No. 2 hitter. Aaron Boone hit there 61 times last year, and he's the choice for that spot as of now.

Casey has hit there, as has Dunn.

"I like hitting there," Aaron Boone said. "I think it jump-started me a little last year. But it really doesn't make a difference to me.

"I think that's true with all of our guys. No one says, 'I want to hit here or there.' "

Larkin and Boone give the Reds their two best base-stealers at the top of the order.

The next spot was set. Griffey has hit third most of his career.

Kearns is the choice for cleanup. He hit there 42 times last year.

"I think he's a run-producing guy," Bob Boone said. "It splits the left-handers."

Griffey, Dunn and Casey all are left-handed hitters.

As the season goes on, Casey could move up in the order.

"He'll be up in the mix a little more," Bob Boone said. "But a lot of runs will be produced out of the sixth spot."

The Reds are heavy on middle-of-the-order guys. Larson is a third, fourth, or fifth type of hitter

"There's a lot of lineups you could use with the talent we have," Boone said. "You're not going to make a mistake. It's kind of a guess: Which guy is hot tonight?"

Boone said he's inclined to use the same lineup against left-handed pitchers as he uses against right-handers.

"Griffey, Dunn and Casey are going to hit against left-handers," Boone said.

The lineup

	Name	Pos.	'02 BA
1.	Barry Larkin	SS	.245
2.	Aaron Boone	2B	.241
3.	Ken Griffey Jr.	CF	.264
4.	Austin Kearns	RF	.315
5.	Adam Dunn	LF	.249
6.	Sean Casey	1B	.261
7.	Brandon Larson	3B	.275
8.	Jason LaRue	C	.249

Analysis: The lineup is strong in the middle. But the leadoff, Barry Larkin, had an on-base percentage of .305 last year, and No. 2 hitter, Aaron Boone, had an on-base percentage of .314 last year. The Reds are counting on better numbers than that. They should get them. Consider that Larkin hit .245, 51 points below his career average, and Boone hit .241, 30 points below his career average. If they approach their usual numbers, their OBP will come around.