SARASOTA, Fla. -- You can underestimate him if you want, but the doubt only seems to drive outfielder Chris Dickerson even more.

"I'm trying to prove to you that I'm not an anomaly," Dickerson said.

Dickerson, who is vying to fill Cincinnati's left-field vacancy, batted .304 with six home runs and 15 RBIs in 31 Major League games for the Reds after his first career callup, on Aug. 12. Now he's confidently trying to show that he is capable of producing those kinds of numbers again, this time over a full season.

After the 2008 season, Dickerson heard and read the reports that the Reds were searching for a power-hitting left fielder. He lamented any suggestions that didn't put more stock in his big league numbers, as they were better than his career track record in the Minors.

"People want to say that was just a great six-week performance and that's it," said Dickerson, who will turn 27 on April 10. "Just like everybody else, they look into the Minor League performance. I just want to come out here and continue to show people I can play and that I'm the same player I was those last six weeks."

Through 15 games this spring, he's convincingly done it, batting .333 (12-for-36) with two homers and six RBIs.

"He's come a mile from where he was last year at this time," manager Dusty Baker said. "His confidence level ... I can tell he feels that he belongs here. He's heavy in the conversation."

That doesn't mean there isn't room for more improvement. Dickerson has been caught stealing four times in eight tries. Coaches Billy Hatcher and Eric Davis are working with him so that his stealing technique matches his blazing speed. Recently, when the Reds played the Twins, Baker asked Hall of Famer Rod Carew to give Dickerson some bunting tips.

Baker still would like to see the left-handed-hitting Dickerson get better against such left-handed pitchers as Jon Lester, who started for the Red Sox on Thursday.

In a 0-for-4 game vs. Boston in a 9-1 Reds loss, Dickerson grounded out to shortstop and struck out against Lester, and struck out in the ninth against reliever Billy Traber.

"The more you see them, the more comfortable you get with them," Baker said.

"As far as left-handers go, I've been thrown right into the fire," Dickerson said. "I think we've faced 10 lefties the past week. It's been very good exposure during Spring Training. I'm not quite as comfortable as I want to be against left-handers, but it will come."

A native of Hollywood, Calif., Dickerson has gotten attention in the offseason for his eco-friendly efforts with recycling and a Web site, weplaygreen.org, that he launched to promote better environmental living. A national publication gave him a video camera to document his life off the field during Spring Training.

But all that has taken a backseat to focusing on earning a spot on the team.

"I'm trying to get my work done, and it's paying off. I feel really comfortable," Dickerson said. "I think I'm in a really good position right now as far as being in in-season form. There are another couple of weeks, but I'm very pleased with my performance right now. I can still get better."

As for the left-field competition, Dickerson has put himself in good position to not only go north with the Reds' 25-man roster but to possibly win the job outright and be the No. 2 hitter in the lineup behind speedy leadoff man Willy Taveras. At the very least, it could be a platoon situation.

Jerry Hairston Jr. is due to return to camp soon from the World Baseball Classic and non-roster invitee Jonny Gomes has had a terrific camp, whereas another invitee, Jacque Jones, has struggled.

"I feel like I'm putting together good big league at-bats and swings on the ball," Dickerson said. "I feel like I'm definitely making my case."