Rockies right fielder Brad Hawpe was “an animal” in winter workouts at Coors Field, according to second baseman Clint Barmes. Hawpe told me he worked to get stronger but stay flexible in his swing.

Ringolsby: You spent the offseason in Denver for the first time. What was the benefit?
Hawpe: There were a lot of guys working out at Coors Field, and we pushed each other to the next level. When you are working out on your own you feel you push yourself, but when you are working with your teammates you keep pushing each other to go harder.

Ringolsby: How did you work to maintain an upper body flexibility?
Hawpe: After we were done lifting weights we would stretch to stay loose, and then we’d go down and work in the cage to keep the swing fluid.

Ringolsby: Do you feel being stronger is a key for the coming season?
Hawpe: It will help, but the big thing to me is my legs are healthy. At the end of spring training last year, I rolled my left ankle. I pushed to play through, it but it was a problem.

Ringolsby: You improved against lefties last year, hitting .282. A pleasant surprise?
Hawpe: A big thing was getting an opportunity to face more. Obviously it’s more a challenge in the big leagues. In high school you didn’t face those situation lefties who are paid to get me and Helton out. Before last year, when I was only starting against right-handed pitchers, the only time I’d face a lefty was when they would bring in the Alan Embree of their bullpen, the guy who is paid to get a lefty out.

Ringolsby: How much did signing the multiyear contract last spring help you relax during the season?
Hawpe: It takes the selfish out of it. That and play more regularly. The more you are in the lineup and with the security you don’t get concerned with how you do. Your only concern is how we do.