Brad Hawpe has been taking more flyballs in right field recently, an indication that he could be moved there while Anthony Rizzo takes his spot at first base.
When asked about the situation, Padres manager Bud Black didn't indicate that a Rizzo promotion is imminent, but he didn't exactly deny it, either. "Have I asked (Hawpe) to come into my office?" Black said. "Not yet. But have I said, ‘Hey, Brad, I want you to start taking some fly balls in the outfield off the bat?’ Yeah. Brad knows. He’s played seven years of outfield (with the Colorado Rockies). He knows there’s a guy down (in Triple-A) hitting .370. He saw him in spring training." Rizzo's power has broken out in a big way this season, as he sports a .337/.455/.738 batting line with 16 homers and 62 RBI. He won't turn 22 until August.