SARASOTA, Fla. -- Gone is the surly, slightly standoff-ish kid from Texas. Replacing him is a mature, thoughtful, funny, almost "up with people" man. Welcome to the new Homer Bailey.

"Let's just make a party of it," Bailey cracked when reporters approached. "We'll build a fire, make some smores and we'll sing Kumbaya."

This hasn't been just a one-time thing for the right-hander who, despite seemingly being on radars forever, is still just 22 years old. The affable, approachable Bailey has been in Sarasota all spring, noteworthy particularly because it's come right smack in the middle of a real good competition with Micah Owings for the No. 5 spot in the rotation.

Instead of retreating because of it, Bailey has embraced it. More often than not, he can be found sitting in the back corner of the clubhouse -- a spot he shares with Owings, by the way -- reading a book. The volume in question on Saturday was a novel Bailey wouldn't disclose, but he has also been making his way through a historical work about Lewis and Clark. If nothing else, it's seemingly made him more eloquent.

"All this reading. Vocabulary increased!" Bailey exclaimed. "I went from a fifth-grade reading level to seventh grade."

Bailey makes such self-deprecating remarks with an ease that's surprising. He carries himself with the confidence of someone who belongs, but without the attitude. It's not just the media that's noticed. "What we like is that he's shown more progress this time of year than he has over the past couple of years," manager Dusty Baker said. "That's what you need to see out of young guys. Progress and maturity.

"He's getting it and he's figuring it out. That's what's big. I don't have a whole bunch to compare to, but it's his overall demeanor, his delivery, his outlook and his mind-set. That'd be my short evaluation."

If Bailey hadn't performed well in camp this year, his renewed outlook on life would likely be little more than an entertaining note as the Reds prepared to head north to start the season. But the 2004 first-rounder has thrown well overall, with a 2.45 ERA over 14 2/3 innings this spring. His "rival," Owings, has been a bit better with a 1.45 ERA in his 18 2/3 innings pitched. It's left the Reds with a difficult decision to make.

"It's a good problem to have," Bailey said. "It's just another one of those situations where I have to put my trust in Dusty and Walt [Jocketty, Reds general manager]. They've been through this situation more than once. I like the path that I'm going with the way I'm throwing and the way camp has been going, not just for me, but for all of our pitchers and position players.

"As long as all of us are still going in that right direction, that's a good thing. It's good for the organization. Really, that's what the big picture is about."

In the past, Bailey hasn't been that much of a "big picture" kind of guy, something he freely admits. He's talked in the past about how his tough 2008 season knocked some sense into him. More than anything, it seems like he's being less myopic about his standing in the organization.

"I've had more years of experience since then," Bailey said of the former, more immature version of himself who may not have handled this kind of situation well. "Once you start understanding things better, it becomes a bigger picture [instead of] a little bit of tunnel vision."

He's expanded that to even considering other roles he might be asked to fill. With the way things have lined up, it seems that Owings is, if not the winner of the job, the clear front-runner. Of course, looks can be deceiving.

"No, it's not official yet, Baker said, "just because it's lined up.

"It's a little premature to ask us that yet," Baker continued about Bailey's possible role. "I know you want answers. Everybody else on this team wants answers. Whatever it is, Homer's in our plans. Big time."

There still remains the possibility that those plans could include a move to the bullpen, something Bailey doesn't have a ton of experience with. There are those who might think he and the organization would be best suited to let him go to Triple-A and start every five days, but in another sign how far he's come, Bailey remains open to giving relief work a shot if that's what's asked of him.

"With as much experience as we have around here, the willingness of everyone to help each other, I think I'd learn to adapt real quick," Bailey said. "It will be new, but it is something I think I can do. It's just another phase of pitching."