Burden of proof

Casey, Boone, Reese must deliver
on promise they've shown

BY CHRIS HAFT
The Cincinnati Enquirer

The Reds' starting infield is a primary source of hope -- and skepticism.

Aaron Boone led the Reds in hitting most of spring, leading to expectations he can be productive in the regular season. (AP photo | ZOOM)

Three-fourths of the unit -- first baseman Sean Casey, second baseman Pokey Reese and third baseman Aaron Boone -- have combined to play 163 games at their respective positions since they broke into the majors in 1997. Ordinarily, not even the presence of 13-year veteran shortstop Barry Larkin can compensate for such a lack of experience.

Fortunately for the Reds, Casey, Reese and Boone might not be ordinary young players.

Casey seems to have the potential to join the next group of ascending stars around the major leagues. The 24-year-old left-handed hitter was labeled a top prospect as a Cleveland Indians farmhand, and he did nothing to dispel that reputation after becoming a Red last year in the Dave Burba trade on the eve of the season opener. Casey batted .300 after the All-Star break to finish the season at .272.

Though Casey hit only seven homers in 302 at-bats last year, it's widely believed he'll develop enough power to collect about 20 homers a year, which is the minimum requirement for a first baseman these days. Moreover, coaches and scouts love Casey's ability to hit the ball to the opposite field -- a difficult skill to teach, and an indication that he already possesses polish beyond his years.

Reese's natural position is shortstop, but you wouldn't know it from watching him play second. He has excellent range to either side and has displayed decent quickness on double plays. Botching relatively simple plays was Reese's only disturbing defensive tendency in spring games, and he did that just two or three times.

''I think it's great for him to finally get a chance to play every day,'' said third base coach Ron Oester, himself a longtime Reds second baseman (1978-90). ''He'll do a good job out there.''

Though Reese isn't expected to be a major offensive contributor, he may have to exceed his career average of .228 to ward off the threat of Carlos Baerga, a three-time All-Star who'll begin the season at Triple-A Indianapolis. If Baerga plays himself into shape, he might receive a chance with Cincinnati. But Reese, who has decent speed, can help his cause by becoming a base-stealing threat.

Boone was Cincinnati's leading hitter through much of spring training. He also led the team in errors with six. The Reds just want Boone to be steady, not spectacular. They'll be thrilled if he maintains his 1998 offensive production (.282, two homers, 28 RBI in 181 at-bats).

Said Boone, ''You always have your butterflies and what not, but I know now I can play. Bottom line.''

Larkin will be Larkin, as long as he remains healthy. He's a .300 career hitter and a nine-time All-Star. He also wanted to be traded to a contender before Cincinnati obtained Greg Vaughn from San Diego, so it's anybody's guess what Larkin might think or say if the Reds' season goes sour. For now, everything's wonderful.

The Reds' depth leaves them well-equipped to survive if anybody falters or suffers an injury.

Pokey Reese has shown excellent range at second base, but he still must prove he can hit major-league pitching.(AP photo | ZOOM)

Mark Lewis has played mostly second base since 1996, but has platooned at third -- most notably in 1995, when he hit .339 to help the Reds win the NL Central Division. Like Lewis, Chris Stynes, last year's Opening Day left fielder, can play every infield position but first base.

Hal Morris, a lifetime .306 hitter, will be ready if anything happens to Casey. Morris may start occasionally, because manager Jack McKeon will want to keep the nine-year veteran's stroke sharp for pinch-hitting.

Eddie Taubensee and Brian Johnson will share the catching duties, though perhaps not in a strict lefty-righty platoon. McKeon wants to play both of them enough to keep them sharp early in the year before leaning toward whomever's hot. He wants both fresh in September.

Johnson batted .347 in the exhibition season and had a slugging percentage of .551. He also has the intangible asset of having played for three postseason qualifiers in a row: San Diego in 1996 (NL West champs) and San Francisco in 1997-98 (NL West champs, losers in a one-game playoff for the wild-card berth).

Taubensee's coming off his most productive major-league season (72 RBI). But McKeon, mindful of Taubensee's second-half dip last year (.307 before the All-Star break, .237 after) wants to keep the eight-year veteran fresh for the second half.