(Kim Johnson Flodin/AP)

The Phillies’ young, 23-year-old third baseman Cody Asche has seen his fair share of struggles thus far this season, and the learning curve for him appears to be in full effect going forward.

Asche’s in his second season with the team after being promoted from AAA Lehigh last July, on the 30th. Cody put forth a solid effort with Lehigh last year, eventually earning himself a spot on the IL team (Class AAA International League) in the Triple-A All-Star Game. Prior to his promotion to the Major League level, he was batting a solid .295, with 15 home runs and 68 RBIs to boot. He would go on to be named the team’s Player of the Month for the month of July. The Phillies’ upper management decided to call him up in order to give him an extended look at playing third base, particularly to compare him to fellow third baseman Maikel Franco, the latter of which is currently with Lehigh; filling in for Asche. 

Even if Franco ends up becoming a star; all while overshadowing and making Philadelphia fans forget about Asche; if the latter doesn’t succeed in his Major League career, Asche is a piece that could remain in the organization nonetheless. This of course depends upon his willingness to be liberal; in trying new approaches at the plate, field, or within a new position on the field, given it comes down to that.

The team doesn’t have as much depth in positional spots like they did a few years ago when they had a successful blend of young stars and veterans yearning for a championship ring.

Asche somehow won a spot on the team out of Spring Training this past season over Franco, despite only hitting a meager .170 in Spring Training. In Spring Training he was tied for the team lead in home runs and RBIs with 3 and 8, respectively. Thus, it’s assumed that the team considering that fact, as well as the lack of depth at third base coming into this year, when determining whether or not he’d make the club. Apparently they saw something in him that his batting average didn’t.

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Tags: Baseball, Cody Asche, Freddy Galvis, jayson nix, Kyle Lutz, Maikel Franco, MLB, Philadelphia Phillies, Phillies News, Phils, Ryne Sandberg