The Morning Friar – 3/11/11

After a slow start to the spring, San Diego first base prospect Anthony Rizzo is starting to feel right at home with his new team.

The former sixth-rounder slugged his first Cactus League homer against Cleveland on Wednesday and followed it up with a four-hit performance in the Padres’ 8-2 victory over the Dodgers in Glendale, Ariz., on Thursday.

“My locker is not on wheels this spring,” said Denorfia. “It’s built into the wall . . . permanent.”

While Brad Hawpe takes over at first base, the Padres will look to a number of players to help replace the offence lost when Gonzalez, the slugger who had been the face of the franchise, was traded to the Boston Red Sox in December.