Strong Cactus League showing propels Asche into DH role with White Sox

MILWAUKEE - Released by Philadelphia in December after spending four seasons with the Phillies, Cody Asche waited over a month before signing a minor-league contract with the Chicago White Sox.

"I did have some options, a couple of teams here and there," Asche said before Friday night's exhibition game against the Milwaukee Brewers at Miller Park. "But the White Sox stuck out to me, for sure. I heard good things and it just felt like a good fit.

"There is no equation that you can type in and get the right answer. You just have to sit back and mull over things for a couple days and I felt comfortable with coming here. I think Chicago is a good place for me."

The Sox feel the same way about Asche, who is coming off a strong showing in the Cactus League and is positioned to spend plenty of time at designated hitter once the regular season opens Monday with a home game against the Detroit Tigers.

"Cody can play left (field), he can play first (base) and we know he can play third," White Sox manager Rick Renteria said. "He can actually play both corners of the outfield. And we can use that DH slot to mix in hopefully a lot of the guys we have on our club."

A needed left-handed bat with power, Asche should spend most of his time at DH because the White Sox have Todd Frazier at third base, Jose Abreu at first and Melky Cabrera in left field.

In four seasons with the Phillies, the 26-year-old Asche played third and left. He didn't DH until Cactus League play this spring.

"I guess we'll find out when the lights turn on," Asche said of filling the difficult designated hitter role. "Spring training is spring training and DHing is probably a little bit different than it is when the games start counting. But I'm up for the challenge. I think with every new thing, your attitude determines how well you do. Just stay ready, embrace it and I think I'll do fine."

Asche had a .240/.298/.385 hitting line with 31 home runs and 125 RBI in four seasons with the Phillies. The 6-foot-1, 205-pounder also struck out 310 times in 1,181 at-bats, so making consistent contact was a problem.

In the Cactus League, Asche slashed .310/.453/.714 with 4 homers and 9 RBI while striking out 17 times in 42 at-bats.

"I'm pleased," said Asche, who played collegiate baseball at Nebraska. "I would by lying if I said I wasn't. After being released by the Phillies, DFA'd, it was hard to imagine the day to day in spring training. But I've been blown away just by the welcoming from the White Sox family. The players in here are amazing, the coaching staff is great. They made it really easy on me to just come in and feel like part of the team from Day 1."

In Friday's game against the Brewers, Asche was DH and he hit sixth behind second baseman Tyler Saladino, shortstop Tim Anderson, Cabrera, Abreu and Frazier. The White Sox's lineup should be the same against the Tigers Monday.

"Going to a new organization, you really don't know what to expect," Asche said. "I kind of came in with no expectations. I was just hoping to do my work every single day and let management and the staff make a decision on me. I think if you do that, in the position I'm in, you'll set yourself up for success more times than not."