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Phillies: Early Look At Fourth Outfielder Candidates For 2017

By Gary Brinson

Aug 18, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Phillies right fielder Aaron Altherr (23) hits a single during the fourth inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Citizens Bank Park. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 18, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Phillies right fielder Aaron Altherr (23) hits a single during the fourth inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Citizens Bank Park. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports /
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Sep 22, 2015; Miami, FL, USA; Philadelphia Phillies third baseman Cody Asche hits a home run in the eighth inning of a game against the Miami Marlins at Marlins Park. The Phillies won 6-2. Mandatory Credit: Robert Mayer-USA TODAY Sports /

Asche has had many opportunities since his arrival in 2013. Is 2017 really it?

Cody Asche, like Aaron Atlherr, was injured out of the gates in the spring, and never hit the ground running upon returning.

It’s a shame for Asche, who’s been handed numerous opportunities to carve out a role with the club, because he really ended the 2015 season on a high-note.

Over the final 44 games of 2015, Asche slashed .239/.312/.458 (.770 OPS) with seven homers and 19 RBI. In his first 85 games of he season he hit for a better average (.251), but had just a .289 OBP and .378 SLG for a poor .667 OPS. So it’s easy to see why this was revelation for some.

He seemed like a decent choice for a platoon player in the outfield heading into 2016. However, as mentioned, Asche’s oblique injury before spring training would set him back immensely, and he would miss the first 54 games of the season.

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    • There was a slight sign of hope for Asche in 2016, after starting 0-5 in his first two games back, Asche would go on red-hot tear over his next 29 games. Slashing .298/.343/.553 (.896 OPS), while hitting four homers and driving in 13 runs in 102 plate appearances.

    Shortly thereafter, Asche had come back down to earth, and then some. Over his next 26 games Asche hit just .120 with a .370 OPS and zero home runs. And would be sent down to AAA to figure it out.

    After returning in September, Asche played in 14 of the teams last 20 games. However, receiving just 28 plate appearances. He’d end the season hitting .143 with a .417 OPS over his final 40 games, finishing the year slashing .213/.284./.350 (.635 OPS).

    Asche’s best hope at this point is finding that stroke from the best 74 game stretch of his career played from the end of 2015, to his start of 2016, where he slashed .253/.315/.481 (.796 OPS) with 11 homers and 32 RBI in 260 plate appearances to find a role in the outfield.

    If he doesn’t, his days with the team will be all but over.

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