With the Phillies looking to trade Michael Young by Wednesday’s trade deadline, they have already called up top third base prospect Cody Asche to possibly take Young’s place. Asche has moved through the Philly farm system quickly – and unlike many other prospects we’ve talked about, he’s done well with every promotion. If Michael Young is moved today, Asche is a clear-cut fantasy pickup who should be ready to make an immediate impact.
Asche went in the fourth-round of the 2011 Amateur Draft out of the University of Nebraska. He was sent to Low-A and struggled in his first 68 games. He put up a mere .192/.273/.264 line with just two homers and 19 RBI. Since he wasn’t picked in the first couple rounds and had a rough first season, the powers-that-be decided not to deem him a top 100 prospect. Top prospect designation or not, Asche has spent the last two seasons changing minds and turning heads.
Despite his struggles in Low-A, Asche started 2012 in High-A and quickly moved to Double-A just 62 games in. On the season, Asche put up a .324/.369/.481 line with 12 HR, 72 RBI, 73 R, 51 XBH, and 11 SB over 130 games between the High-A and Double-A. This season he has been equally impressive, owning a .295/.352/.485 line with 15 HR, 68 RBI, 52 R, 42 XBH, and 11 SB over 104 games.
He consistently improved his walk totals and slugging percentage, as well as his defense which doesn’t play a role in fantasy but certainly affects his staying ability. What I like most about Asche is that he isn’t a power hitter, he’s an extra-base hitter who has enough pop to hit 20 homers. He has 24 doubles through 104 games this season and had 33 last year. He also has enough speed to steal 15+ and put up a handful of triples.
Obviously Triple-A is not the Majors but if Asche put up his current numbers in the Majors he’d rank seventh among third basemen in batting average, eighth in OPS, seventh in home runs, third in RBI, eighth in runs, second in steals, and third in doubles. If he can translate his minor league success into the Majors he certainly projects as a top 10 third baseman.
