Asche with Reading in 2012, Image- Jay Floyd
As the exhibition schedule winds down, we check in one last time with Phillies third base prospect Cody Asche, who has been offering weekly thoughts directly from inside spring training in Clearwater, FL.
A 4th round draft selection in 2011 out of the University of Nebraska, Asche has been a fast rising prospect since joining the Phils organization. Last year, the 22-year-old, in his first full professional season, tallied a .324 batting average with 12 homers, 72 RBI and 11 stolen bases in 130 combined games with Class A Advanced Clearwater and Double-A Reading. Asche followed up that campaign with a .281/.343/.438 line with Peoria in the Arizona Fall League. This spring the six-foot-one 180-pounder went 5-for-14 (.357 average) with two doubles in eight Grapefruit League contests this year, before being reassigned to minor league camp.
In the latest edition of The Cody Chronicles, Asche talks about the potential of beginning the season with Triple-A Lehigh Valley IronPigs, playing on developmental teams located in the heart of big league Phillies territory, his teammate and roommate Adam Morgan as well as plenty more. Read ahead for Cody’s thoughts.
On the possibility of starting the season at the Triple-A level, having entered the final week of spring games playing with the group that will come north as the Lehigh Valley IronPigs…
I don’t think anything’s set in stone. Anything can happen. So, I’ll just keep showing up and doing my work and keep playing hard until we get those final assignments. You can’t really assume anything at this point when, there’s still a lot of changes that could probably be made.
I would be happy with where ever I get assigned to. But, one thing you’ve got to keep in mind is that it’s not the final destination that your goals are set at. There’s Double-A, Triple-A, whatever, that’s not the final destination that you want to be at. You just got to keep going about your business, keep playing and stay healthy and be on the field and play as much as you can and keep getting better.
On his impressions of the IronPigs’ coaching staff…
The (coaches are) great guys. I love working with Sal (Rende), the hitting coach. He’s taught me a ton already. I’ve been working with him in the cages, doing some early work. And (manager Dave Brundage) is a great guy too. He’s a good guy to play for. And we’ve got Ray (Burris) too, the pitching coach. They all fit in really well with coaches I’ve all played for in this system so far. The Phillies do a great job of selecting who they want to run their teams and I think they’ve done a great job again with the staff that they’ve assembled for Lehigh.
On his close bond with lefty pitching prospect Adam Morgan…
We became pretty good friends, I would say, with Williamsport. And in our first instructs, we spent a lot of time together. Then last year, we were roommates with Clearwater and with Reading. You know, we’re kind of the same (type of) people. We both have that drive and that work ethic, kind of a no nonsense kind of thing off the field, so we stick together. I think the similarities and the way we go about our profession is what drew us close to each other and we’ve managed to become friends. And he’s always pulling for me and he’s the first to congratulate me when I do something well. And when he’s on the mound, I’m always pulling for him.
On his own public demeanor appearing more serious compared to his more playful approach with teammates behind the scenes…
I think it’s something where you’re gonna be different around your teammates. You can’t- It’s just different. It’s hard to explain. You have to pick your times to be fun and you’ve got to pick your times to be serious and you pick your times to be professional. I think that’s all part of growing up and just maturing as a player. You gotta be able to handle those aspects of the game and you’ve got to be a good teammate too. Those are just two different scenarios, two different things, so whatever just comes natural to people, that’s just what you’ll see.
On playing with Reading and potentially Lehigh Valley, right in the heart of Phillies country…
I love it. The Phillies fans, they’re a different breed. They are so passionate about baseball and you would think, being an outsider, that it’s just for the Major League team, you know, plenty of Major League teams have big followings, but (Phillies fans) care about everybody. That’s what’s crazy about it. They care how you’re doing, in low A, High-A, Double-A, Triple-A…they care about all the players playing for (those teams) and they treat you well and they support you no matter what. I think that’s real cool that we are in the situation that we get to play in front of all those fans, day in and day out. There’s a lot of minor leaguers that don’t get that experience, ever. Not even in the Double-A or Triple-A ranks. They don’t get that fan base that’s the same fan base as their (big league) club. They might have a hometown fan base, the town there has pride in the team, but whenever you see 10,000 people at a Reading game or a Lehigh game, those are all Phillies fans hoping you’ll do your best and all hoping that you’ll be playing for the Phillies some day.
On what endorsements have come his way…
I just have equipment and stuff like that. I use Rawlings gloves and Under Armour apparel. So, that’s what I’m going with right now and I couldn’t be happier with those two companies. They’re both the best in what they do.
On how ready he is to get the regular season schedule rolling…
I’m super anxious (to begin the regular season). You know, ’cause we’re only playing the Pirates, Blue Jays and Yankees every day. The schedule kind of gets a little monotonous. You know, it’s almost like the same thing every day. I live for the adrenaline rush and, whenever you’re playing in a game that counts, I think every player out there in spring training right now is ready to get going. I’m ready to find out where I’m going and get to it.
Click HERE for a full list of The Cody Chronicles.
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