Cody Asche

Organization Prospect Rankings

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  Ranked Philadelphia Phillies #7 prospect in 2013
  Asche posted potent power numbers at Nebraska and signed for $168,300 in 2011, but he batted just .192 with little pop in his pro debut. The Phillies weren't sure what to make of his struggles, but then he hit .324/.369/.481 and reached Double-A in his first full pro season. Asche has the hands, bat speed and plate discipline to hit. Adding a better load to his swing during instructional league in 2011 allowed him to better tap into his power. His short stroke and strong finish create loft off the barrel, though some scouts wonder if he'll have enough pop to profile as a regular at third base. He gets a tad overly aggressive at times, but he goes to the plate with a good plan. Asche grades as average with the glove, and managers named him the Florida State League's best defensive third baseman in 2012. He has a solid arm and good hands, and he has improved his positioning and footwork. He's an average runner who's quicker under way. He's not a prototypical power-hitting, slick-fielding third baseman, but Asche should hit enough to have a regular big league role. He could start 2013 in Triple-A and be in line to take over for Michael Young when Young becomes a free agent after the season.

Minor League Top Prospects

• 
  Ranked International League #9 prospect in 2013
  Asche?s rapid ascent from fourth-round pick in 2011 to Triple-A in 2013 culminated with a career-high 15 homers at Lehigh Valley followed by a callup to Philadelphia at the end of July. He may need the head start to stave off hard-charging Double-A third baseman Maikel Franco in the Phillies system. Asche?s hitting proficiency will keep him in the majors, for the lefthanded swinger hit .308/.368/.533 versus Triple-A righthanders. He still hasn?t mastered southpaws, however, posting a .674 OPS. Asche plays a pedestrian third base but employs a solid arm, soft hand and good footwork. He runs well enough to turn the occasional single into a double. ?He improved on so many things,? Lehigh Valley manager Dave Brundage said. ?Once he got his feet wet, you could see him growing in front of your eyes. Only having spent a few years in the minors, he might be better than people think.?
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  Ranked Eastern League #17 prospect in 2012
  The Phillies didn't know what to do with Asche a year ago. The fourth-round pick hit just .192 during his pro debut in the short-season New York-Penn League, and the organization couldn't decide whether to play him at second base, third base or scrap everything and make him a catcher. Asche added a more pronounced load to his swing during instructional league last year and had a strong spring training this year to earn an assignment to high Class A, where he hit .349/.378/.447 in 270 at-bats prior to a June 23 bump to Reading. He hit just .192 through his first 29 Double-A games before catching fire and finishing on a 59-for-159 (.371) tear with 27 extra-base hits in 42 games. Like most good hitters, Asche has quick hands and hits the ball where it's pitched, pulling inside pitches while serving offspeed offerings away to left field. Though he has shown above-average power in college and in spurts as a pro, Asche divides scouts on whether he'll hit enough homers to profile as an everyday third baseman. Philadelphia seems committed to the idea of developing Asche at the hot corner, where he has average range, speed, hands and arm strength.

• December, 2012 Scouting Report
  Background: Asche posted potent power numbers at Nebraska and signed for $168,300 as a fourth-rounder in 2011, but he batted just .192 with little pop in his pro debut. The Phillies weren't sure what to make of his struggles or future position, but then he hit .324/.369/.481 and reached Double-A in his first full pro season. Scouting Report: Asche always has had the hands, bat speed and plate discipline to hit. Adding a better load to his swing during instructional league in 2011 allowed him to better tap into his power. His short stroke and strong finish create loft off the barrel, though some scouts if he'll have enough pop to profile as a regular at third base. He gets a tad overly aggressive at times, but he goes to the plate with a good plan. Asche grades as average with the glove, and managers named him the Florida State League's best defensive third baseman in 2012. He has a solid arm and good hands, and he has improved his positioning and footwork. He's an average runner who's quicker underway. The Future: He's not a prototypical power-hitting, slick-fielding third baseman, but Asche should hit enough to have a big league role, perhaps as a regular. He could start 2013 in Triple-A and be in line to take over for Michael Young when Young becomes a free agent after the season.