PITTSBURGH -- Two years ago, Rockies right fielder Brad Hawpe said he was fueled by being an 11th-round pick out of LSU, meaning a lot of teams didn't think a lot of him.

Now he is acknowledged as a threat. Before the All-Star Game, Cardinals and National League manager Tony La Russa acknowledged that he considered inviting Hawpe, but he didn't need a right fielder.

Hawpe entered Wednesday's finale of three games with the Pirates batting .304 with 62 RBIs, and tied with All-Star left fielder Matt Holliday for the team lead in home runs with 16 and second to Holliday's 73 RBIs.

With strong stats, validated by high praise from La Russa, Hawpe has let go of any need to prove himself based on his Draft status.

"One thing I've learned is that I'm pretty good at this game, so it's not about proving this or proving that to anyone else," Hawpe said. "I try to forget things like that. Just because that happened in the past, doesn't mean that's who I am now."

Besides, Hawpe can afford to have quiet confidence, since his bat speaks loudly. Holliday proved his power on the national stage at the State Farm Home Run Derby during All-Star festivities, but Hawpe also has sent balls great distances during games.

Hawpe also is becoming more complete. He did not play Tuesday against Pirates left-hander Shane Youman and has a .200 average (15-for-75) against lefties, but he has a respectable 10 RBIs, eight walks and a homer against them.

"He's been clobbering some right-handed pitching; he's gotten some hits against some left-handers of late, also," Rockies manager Clint Hurdle said. "We've gotten him through some situations, continuing to try to feed him some at-bats against left-handed pitching.

"But you look at his splits and the numbers he's driven in against right-handed pitching, and he's doing a real solid job producing runs, big hits."

Folks are noticing.

"For [La Russa] to consider me and make a statement about it is special," Hawpe said. "Even not going, it's special."

Smooth tuneup: Left-handed reliever Brian Fuentes struck out two during a perfect inning for Class A Asheville against Rome (Ga.) on Tuesday night in his injury rehab performance for a strained left lat muscle.

Fuentes is expected to rejoin the Rockies on Thursday for the opener of a four-game road series against the Nationals.

On the Rox: First baseman Todd Helton returned to the Rockies' lineup Wednesday after missing a game with a severe headache. Helton had started 41 straight games. ... After two night games, and with Wednesday's early start, Hurdle did not start Willy Taveras in center field. Cory Sullivan, who went to North Allegheny High in nearby Wexford, Pa., took his place. Sullivan entered with a .406 batting average since being called up on June 15.

Up next: Right-hander Ubaldo Jimenez (8-5, 5.85 in Triple-A) makes his first start of the season Thursday at 5:05 p.m. MT in the opener of a four-game road series against the Nationals, who will start left-hander Matt Chico (4-6, 4.57).