Talk about adapting to new surroundings.
Chris Ashby was activated to play for the Albuquerque Isotopes three days ago and he already has a nickname.
"Lean Back," as in, the rap song by Terror Squad.
Ashby is more Van Halen than Vanilla Ice, but teammates say the 31-year-old leans back after every swing.
"I don't like it when they say it, but I don't care," Ashby said. "As long as I'm still hitting."
Though not flashy, Ashby seems to prevail with every baseball task.
Such was the case during Albuquerque's 8-4 win Wednesday over the Iowa Cubs in Isotopes Park.
Ashby hadn't played the outfield in two years, but Isotopes manager Dean Treanor had no problem sticking his utility man there.
The longtime minor leaguer made a crucial play in the eighth, waving off center fielder James Shanks in time to make a diving catch and save a few runs.
After nursing a strained left quad for weeks, Ashby is 2-for-4 with a solo home run since his Tuesday return.
He plays catcher, first base and pitched 6 innings for the Isotopes in 2004.
Ashby seems to adapt well to anything.
"That's what I've always been able to do," he said. "It's good to be able to play anywhere and do whatever my team needs me to do."
Apparently this sentiment applies to being well-liked. Four different Isotopes interrupted Ashby's interview Tuesday with The Tribune to crack a joke.
"He's well thought of in this organization and in the clubhouse," Treanor said. "The clubhouse loves him. They were happy to see him hit that home run."
Despite his baseball versatility, Ashby's big-picture success hasn't ballooned like his clubhouse reputation.
Ashby has never received a call-up to the majors, never scored a major league at-bat. In fact, he has a hard time staying in Triple-A.
The parent Florida Marlins have bounced Ashby from Double-A to Triple-A or vice versa in two of the last three years.
The career .265 hitter said he wanted to play for Double-A Carolina last season to serve as the everyday catcher, but he still eyes an ascension to the bigs.
"I feel like I can still play, but the question is whether they'll root for me," said Ashby, an on-and-off Isotope since the team's inception in 2003. "I can still contribute, so I'll have to let my playing speak for itself."
One guy is always ready to go to bat for Ashby - Treanor.
"What he's done yesterday and today is pretty good," Treanor said. "I hope he stays here all year and gets a shot to go up."
