Fantasy Profile: Cody Asche, 3B, Philadelphia Phillies

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FANTASY PROFILE: CODY ASCHE, 3B, PHILADELPHIA PHILLIES

LWOS Ranking 30, Captains’ Value: -$3.73

Cody Asche is an interesting case as consensus #3 prospect in the organization Maikel Franco is viewed as the future 3B for the Philadelphia Phillies and he is right around the corner (there have been rumors of moving Franco over to 1B if Ryan Howard were to be released). Asche has actually been doing some outfield drills, hinting that he could be a corner OF in the near future. However, GM Ruben Amaro states that, barring a spectacular spring by Franco, Asche will be the starting 3B on Opening Day. If you want him starting on your team is an entirely different story.

Asche does not have any plus tools. A slightly below contact rate (76.3%) and K rate (23.7%) will likely see him hit in the .245-.255 range. Asche has average power so a double-digit HR total is not out of the question but asking for more than 15 would be. He showed some speed at the AAA level in 2013 with 11 SB in 14 attempts. That has not translated to the Major League level yet but Asche missed 27 games in 2014 due to a left hamstring strain so that probably had an effect on his ability to be more mobile. The Phillies offense is going to be anemic this year limiting his potential for larger Runs and RBI totals.

For now, Asche should be delegated to deep and N.L. only leagues. The good news is that the Phillies are going to be awful and there isn’t much depth so, unless he has a horrendous season, he shouldn’t be in any danger of losing his spot in the starting line-up.

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