Hawpe gets some time at first base

TUCSON — Right fielder Brad Hawpe has been taking ground balls and participating in drills at first base this spring. He played the position for five innings Sunday in a minor league game, returning to his baseball roots and doing well in the process.

In Todd Helton and Jason Giambi, the Rockies have two first basemen, although it’s unlikely Giambi, 39, could play the position for an extended period in the event of an injury to Helton. Like Hawpe, both are left-handed hitters. And versatile Melvin Mora, a right-handed hitter, could fill in at first base. Manager Jim Tracy said before spring training he wanted to give Hawpe some exposure to the position, and a Triple-A game between the Rockies and Diamondbacks on a minor league field behind Hi Corbett Field was the perfect opportunity for Hawpe to get some game action at first base.

Hawpe played five innings at first base — he didn’t bat and was strictly a defensive player — a position he last played regularly in 2002 at the high Class A level. The presence of Helton at first base led the Rockies to shift Garrett Atkins (third base) and Hawpe (right field) to other positions.

“That’s a fun position,” Hawpe said. “It’s a position (where) you’re in the game. I wouldn’t say I’m a finished product and ready for a major league baseball game. I’ve played five innings now in seven years. But I felt comfortable over there. I was excited and had fun.”

Hawpe caught a low throw from catcher Miguel Olivo, after he fielded a high chopper off the plate in the second inning. In the third, caught a line drive and threw to shortstop to double a runner off second base. And in the fourth with the runner closing in, Hawpe caught a throw from pitcher Aaron Cook.

Asked whether he felt like he was getting back on a bicycle, Hawpe said, “Yes and no. Being out there (in right field) for so long, you’ve got a different look to the game. You get back in here (the infield), and all of a sudden, the game’s right on you. Footwork around the bag is the difference, so that’s what I was hoping to get a feel for here _ guys coming down the line, get a feel for what I was going to do around the bag.”