"Right now, Clint Barmes," Helton said.

Helton doesn't have to spend a nickel to do that, of course. He can just look across the diamond at Barmes, now the Rockies' regular shortstop in the absence of the injured Troy Tulowitzki.

But Helton's point was well-taken. In fact, on a struggling and underachieving Rockies team, Barmes has been one of the few things worth watching of late. It's hard to find a hotter hitter anywhere around the Major Leagues than Barmes, who brought a nine-game hitting streak into Saturday's game.

Since May 6, only Houston's Lance Berkman and Kansas City's Jose Guillen have hit for a higher average than Barmes' .531 mark (17-for-32). Barmes also had five multihit games in his last six, and had reached base in 22 of his last 36 plate appearances. He has 19 hits in May -- 14 shy of his career-best month of April 2005 -- when he batted .410.

That was when he burst onto the scene as a smoking-hot first-year player, winning April National League Rookie of the Month honors. He was in contention for Rookie of the Year honors when he suffered a broken left collarbone in an off-field accident.

Barmes, now 29, feels he is a better hitter these days than he was back then.

"I understand a lot more about my swing now," Barmes said. "I'm staying through the ball on my swing more than I was in '05. I can manage my swing better -- not pull off pitches, not lunge.

"I'm more aggressive on pitches that are strikes. In '05, anything close, I was trying to hit it. I have better balance, a better approach, especially to consistently produce for the long-term. In '05, it was more off feel, and confidence."

With another start Saturday night Barmes has made 15 at shortstop, after getting 10 earlier this season at second base. That marks another return to his past, as Barmes was drafted (2000, 10th round) as a shortstop, played there in the Minors and as the Rockies' regular in 2005 and 2006 before morphing into a utility player last season.

"I feel most comfortable there [at shortstop], but I've been comfortable any place they put me," Barmes said.

All which makes Tulowitzki rest a bit easier on the bench, knowing Barmes is doing an outstanding job in his spot.

"He's probably the best player on our team right now," Tulolwitzki said. "I'm as happy for him as much as anybody."