By Bill Koch
The Cincinnati Enquirer

PHOTO GALLERY

Photos of Saturday's game

After 10 starts in the Reds' last 11 games at second base, Juan Castro was rested Saturday night by manager Bob Boone.

Castro appreciated the gesture and said he wasn't upset, but he would rather have played.

"I know Bob wants to give playing time to some of the other guys, and I respect that," Castro said, "but I really want to play. I don't want to rest. I have four or five months off after the season. That's when I rest."

Having spent most of his career as a backup infielder and defensive specialist, the 30-year-old Castro has been flourishing as the Reds' starting second baseman and figures to play there regularly until shortstop Barry Larkin returns from the disabled list and Felipe Lopez shifts from short to second.

In what might be the most productive period of his major-league career to date, Castro has made 24 starts this year, 20 of them at second, where his dazzling defensive work is a primary reason the Reds have rallied from their 5-13 start to leap into contention in the National League Central.

The Reds are 12-8 when Castro starts at second. They were 6-13 when Aaron Boone started there and Brandon Larson played third.

"The biggest thing that happened to us when we made the change of players in Puerto Rico," said Bob Boone, "is that we started making plays. He's been huge in that. We've become markedly better with Aaron at third and him at second. All of a sudden, we became pretty good defensively from very poor. And him being able to hit like he has has allowed me to keep him in the lineup."

Castro's defensive prowess has been no surprise. He knows he wouldn't be in the major leagues without his glove. But his .258 average is a huge improvement over his career .211 mark.

"I've been a little bit more patient at the plate," Castro said. "I'm seeing more pitches because I'm playing every day. It's different when you play every day."

The Reds acquired Castro from the Los Angeles Dodgers on April 1, 2000 for $150,000 and pitcher Kenny Lutz. They sought him for his defense, but they also were convinced he could improve his hitting.

Maybe it's finally starting to happen.

"I really believe that he can be very special offensively," Boone said. "... I think I believe it more than he believes it. If he could just hit enough, he could play there forever.

"I've been trying to pound into him for three years to let the ball get deep into the strike zone and when you swing, go to right field. He gets in trouble when he tries to get the head of the bat out. When he does that, he's not as good a hitter."

Boone said he probably will play Castro at his natural position of shortstop today.

Castro will be ready.

"As long as I play, it doesn't matter where," he said. "I just want to play."

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E-mail bkoch@enquirer.com