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The demotion of Cody Asche to Triple-A by the Philadelphia Phillies came as a surprise to many people, including Asche, and teammate Chase Utley, who he has often been compared to in terms of style of play. In reality, though, it was inevitable based on the steady rise through the organization by Maikel Franco, another third baseman.
Utley was seen in the locker room on Monday night and said he told Asche to take a positive attitude to the new assignment. Asche has to learn how to play left field, and with Ben Revere as the Phillies’ current starter, that was not going to happen in Philadelphia.
Asche was hitting .245 with two homers and four RBIs which are not acceptable numbers for a starting third baseman in the National League. The Phillies, though they have not announced it, are expected to promote Franco by the end of the week. Franco is the team’s top prospect and could be the best third baseman the team has had since Hall of Famer Mike Schmidt, at least from an upside perspective.
Franco is hitting .346 for the Phillies’ Triple-A affiliate, Lehigh Valley (Pa.), and leads the International League in extra-base hits and plate appearances. He has four home runs and 22 RBIs, including a bases-loaded, walk-off double to win Tuesday’s game for Lehigh Valley. Asche had a pair of hits in the same game. If Asche learns how to master a new position and hit reasonably well there, he gives the Phillies another long-term outfield option.
Staying in Philadelphia does both him and the team no good.
Mike Gibson is a Phillies writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @papreps , “Like” him on Facebook or add him to your network on Google.
