WASHINGTON — Philadelphia Phillies third baseman Cody Asche has had years when he got off to very slow starts with a new team.
When he made his big league debut in 2013 he had one hit in his first 17 at-bats before hitting .333 in the next 84 at-bats with the Phillies.
In his first pro season, he hit just .192 in 239 at-bats with Williamsport of the New York-Penn League.
“One thing I have had to fight my career is the whole change aspect,” said the 24-year-old Asche. “Now I am able to handle the changes that go on during a season.”
That is certainly the case this year. Going into Thursday’s play he ranked second in the National League in on-base percentage at .571 and was tied for 10th in hits with 12. The former University of Nebraska standout had 11 hits in his last 16 at-bats before going 0-for-4 in a 5-2 loss to the Washington Nationals on Thursday.
“I am just staying within myself and not trying to do too much,” he said. “I am trying to focus on pitches and at-bats.”
Asche, who is currently hitting .429 on the year, was drafted in the fourth round in 2011 by the Phillies out of Nebraska.
He hit .295 with 15 homers for Triple-A Lehigh Valley in 2013 and then made the Opening Day roster for the first time with the Phillies last year.
Asche started eight of the first 10 games this season at third base. He made 105 starts last year, all at third base.