Asche working out in LF; are Phillies about to promote Franco?

ST. LOUIS - The Phillies have had a problem getting consistent offensive production from their outfield in the last three seasons and the 2015 season has been no different in the corner spots.

Entering play last night, Phillies rightfielders were hitting .163 (27th in baseball), with a .496 OPS (29th). Their leftfielders were hitting .198 (25th) with a .559 OPS (24th).

So perhaps it isn't surprising that the Phillies have rebooted a project that they curiously ended in the early going of spring training. Cody Asche took pregame work in leftfield on Tuesday night.

Yesterday, manager Ryne Sandberg said it would become part of Asche's regular daily routine, shagging fly balls with a purpose in the outfield after getting his regular pregame work at third.

"With circumstances and possibilities and things like that throughout the summer, it's only fair to the player to prepare and to be ready for a situation," Sandberg said. "For him to just get some looks out there, and start there, with some basics, I think that's good for him."

The "circumstances and possibilities" Sandberg referred to is the eventual promotion of corner infield prospect Maikel Franco.

The Phillies like Franco's glove at third base. His bat has been a plus in the early going at Triple A Lehigh Valley, too. He entered yesterday hitting .333 with an .883 OPS, one home run, one triple and 10 doubles in 19 games.

"We do have a lot of players that have versatility, and I think [Asche] is another one, he has a little bit of versatility," Sandberg said. "And not necessarily game-situation experience, but at least it gives him a little practice out there and some looks out there."

It's unclear what the next step might be for Asche's progression, or why the Phillies put the brakes on the idea in spring training. During the first week of spring training, Sandberg said Asche wouldn't get any work in the outfield in spring games because he wanted the young infielder ready to be the team's Opening Day third baseman.

Asche, the quintessential team player, is simply doing what's asked of him.

"Just got to do what you're asked and play hard - that's my take on it," Asche told reporters. "I'm a strong enough player that I can handle it. If I'm not good enough to be a big-league third baseman, I can handle that. If I have a future in leftfield, I'll handle that. Just kind of have to roll with it and go out and play."

Any full-fledged transition isn't likely to come for at least another few weeks.

If the Phillies were to promote Franco before May 15, he could become a free agent in 2020. From the perspective of a team not expected to contend this year (or next), it only makes sense for the Phillies to watch his service time. If he arrives later next month, the Phillies would have Franco for an extra year.

Of course, if the Phillies ever decide to move on from Ryan Howard, who entered the day hitting .188 with six extra-base hits in 18 games, Asche and Franco could both start in the Phillies infield. Sandberg said giving Asche work at first base "has been mentioned."

Sandberg pretty much ruled out second base as an option for Asche. Asche played 64 games at second base for short-season Williamsport in 2011; it's the only position other than third base he's played since being drafted in 2011.

Sandberg said he thinks Asche's arm and athleticism would translate well in leftfield.

"This is all early stuff, preliminary things," Sandberg cautioned. "You're talking the same side of the field - third base, leftfield. The looks are the same. Anything on the other side of the diamond sometimes gets a little trickier. Leftfield is one of the first positions that us as a group thought could suit him."

Asche entered the day hitting .303 with two doubles and two home runs in 19 games this season.

"Pretty cool."

That was Tim Cooney's go-to response when asked what it would be like to make his major league debut against the team he grew up rooting for. Cooney was summoned to St. Louis Cardinals this week to take the rotation spot of Adam Wainwright.

While Wainwright undergoes season-ending Achilles' surgery today, the 24-year-old Cooney, a Malvern Prep graduate, will start opposite David Buchanan and the Phillies this afternoon at Busch Stadium.

Only 6 1/2 years ago, Cooney was cheering Cole Hamels and the Phillies during the World Series parade down Broad Street.

"I grew up a pretty big Phillies fan," said Cooney, a two-time first-teamer on the All-Inter-Ac squad who was selected out of Wake Forest University in the third round of the 2012 draft. "It's pretty cool, growing up watching a team and now I get to finally go out and pitch against them. That's pretty cool."

Cooney was 2-1 with a 3.63 ERA in three starts at Triple A Memphis this season. He went 14-6 with a 3.47 ERA in 26 games (25 starts) with Memphis last season.