Former big league infielder/outfielder Cody Asche has agreed to a deal with the Sugar Land Skeeters of the independent Atlantic League, Mike Ashmore of the Trentonian reports (via Twitter).
Still just 28 years of age, Asche was once one of the more well-regarded prospects in the Phillies’ system and viewed as a possible long-term piece in the organization. Back in 2013, Asche clobbered Triple-A pitching at a .295/.352/.485 clip as a 23-year-old and found himself promoted to the big leagues for the season’s final two months. The 2011 fourth-round pick sandwiched a highly productive stretch (.299/.364/.504 over 33 games) between a pair of slumps during that debut campaign, creating some hope that he’d establish himself the following season.
Unfortunately, that never came to be. Asche’s OPS in each of his first three MLB seasons sat between .689 and .699, and by the time the Phillies eventually cut bait on the once-promising third baseman in 2016, he’d amassed a .240/.298/.385 line in nearly 1300 MLB plate appearances. Asche received a brief look with the White Sox in 2017 but couldn’t get his bat going in a new setting either. He split the 2018 campaign between the Triple-A affiliates for the Yankees and Mets but slumped to the worst minor league performance of his career.
Despite last year’s poor results in Triple-A, Asche is still a career .275/.352/.469 hitter in parts of six seasons at that level. He’ll be one of several former big leaguers on the Skeeters roster in 2019, as the Sugar Land club’s roster also includes James Loney, Alec Asher, Mark Lowe, Ryan Schimpf, Felipe Paulino and Jean Machi, among others.
Asche another product of the University Nebraska Lincoln along with Alex Gordon Joba Chamberlain and a few others.
The Cornhuskers are currently being managed by another former MLB and Cornhusker player (and first round draft pick), Darin Erstad.
The long road back to the majors begins!
Good luck Cody!
For his size, I don’t understand why Loney never slugged. I also didn’t understand why the Dodgers hung on to him so long…..
Dodgers hung on to him because he was an average to slightly above average player for them. He had a good batting average, decent OPS, and I’m pretty sure he was an above average defender if I’m remembering correctly.
He was also a 1st round draft pick and showed promise the first couple seasons.
You’re correct. Loney profiled as a Mark Grace type of first baseman; I’m not saying he was ever going to be as good as Grace, but Loney was also supposed to be a good field, high batting average, more doubles than homers kind of 1B.
Pete incaviglia might be able to help tap into his power.
I’m kind of surprised Loney doesn’t have a job somewhere in MLB.
If you say his name fast, it kinda sounds like Kobayashi, the hot dog eating guy.
Lil Jon own this squad? To the window to the wall.
There were no windows in Jon’s wall, the walkers would get through.
I was at his debut game in Philly. Hope he puts it together.
He was horrible in spring training with Dodgers, could not hit and could not field.
Was hoping to see Raffy Palmiero among those names, just for the entertainment value. As far as Loney, not much need for a soon -to-be 35 year old 1st baseman with no power.