01:00 AM EDT on Thursday, April 13, 2006

BY PAUL KENYON
Journal Sports Writer

BOSTON -- It's likely to take Red Sox fans some time to adjust to the team's increased emphasis on pitching and defense this season. If they listen to Kevin Youkilis, though, the transition could be much quicker.

Youkilis likes to talk about how his attitude and method of preparation have changed over the last several years. It is a change that mirrors what the team is doing.

Offense no longer is the biggest concern for the Sox and Youkilis. As the team has shown in winning several close, low-scoring games, pitching and defense now are equally important.

"We're going to have those games where we're going to score 10, 12 runs and everything's going to go smoothly," Youkilis said, "but this team is about a lot more defense than anything. Strong pitching and strong defense is going to win games. Going out there and trying to just outhit opponents is not going to work anymore."

Youkilis became a prospect because of his offense, his ability to get himself on base. But he feels he must improve other aspects of his game if he is to have a long career.

"One thing I've gotten better at since I've been in pro ball is my defense," Youkilis said. "I take as much pride in my defense. That's one thing I've tried to work on. There's always a guy over your shoulder who's going to be better at something than you. If he plays better defense than you and he hits the same way you do, then he's going to get the job. . . . I need to become a better overall player."

That change in attitude clicked in about the same time he reached the big leagues.

"Probably my first year in the major leagues," he said. "I was watching guys, seeing how they go out there and get extra work, work really hard. That showed me how much guys actually take pride in their defense. Also, some coaches told me that if you don't play defense in this game you'll find yourself out of there.

"I saw some guys that are great hitters, but they've been in Triple A for years because they could never play defense that well," Youkilis said. Observing and learning mixed with his desire to excel.

"I've always been a competitor in whatever I've done in life. Ask my parents. I've always competed playing pool or Ping-Pong or Nintendo or whatever it was," he said. "I'm always competing. I'm not the type of guy that's going to settle for second best. I'm going to go out there and try to be the best I can. That's what I do, try to get better each day, try to get better not just as a baseball player but as a person, each day."

One thing he has learned by watching others is to develop a set routine.

"If you're one of those persons that floats around and says, 'Oh, I'll do this today or do that at this time,' next thing you know you're 20 minutes from game time and you're not ready to do it. I try to set my times.

"There are going to be some things that pop up each day. But I try to get out there on the field at the same time every day and have a set routine. I think that's a key. Going to breakfast, going to lunch at the same time, getting your body on the right routine every day. When you don't do everything routinely, your body doesn't know how to adapt," Youkilis said.

There is every indication Youkilis will be Boston's regular first baseman for the foreseeable future, his first chance to play every day. He is playing a new position -- first base -- and with a new spot in the lineup -- leadoff man -- at least for as long as Coco Crisp is out with an injury.

"At bat I don't change my approach," he said. "If I was hitting fourth, I wouldn't try to hit more home runs. I think everybody is their own hitter. You've got to be the best at what you do. . . . The thing is to be myself and try to stick with my approach."

Youkilis still feels the Sox will have plenty of offense.

"We're going to score runs. This team can hit," he said. "Manny [Ramirez[ and David [Ortiz] really haven't gotten that hot yet. Once they start rolling together, we'll put up runs."

With this Boston team, though, offense is not as vital as it has been in the past. This team has a lot of guys like Youkilis who like to talk about pitching and defense, too.

pkenyon@projo.com / (401) 277-7340