Phillies trade John McDonald to Red Sox for prospect Nefi Ogando

The Boston Red Sox added veteran infielder John McDonald for the stretch run last night, sending pitching prospect Nefi Ogando to the Philadelphia Phillies in exchange. Here is a look at Ogando.

Nefi Ogando, RHP: The Red Sox signed Ogando out of the Dominican Republic in 2010. He was already 21 years old when he signed, long in the tooth for Latin American prospects, but still equivalent to a college junior. He posted a 2.83 ERA for short-season Lowell in 2011, with a 38/31 K/BB in 57 innings. Moved up to Low-A Greenville in 2012, he rang up a 3.70 ERA with a 54/34 K/BB in 74 innings. In 2013 he has a 4.09 ERA for High-A Salem, with a 44/27 K/BB in 55 innings.

Ogando is a 6-2, 180 pound right-hander born June 3, 1989. He has a stereotypical middle relief arsenal with a 90-94 MPH fastball and a workable slider, keeping the ball down and generating grounders. His command is erratic and his strikeout rates have not been particularly impressive in A-ball.

At this point, Ogando is a guy with a decent arm who hasn't done much to distinguish himself from the general crowd of minor league relievers. Still, acquiring even a fringe prospect for a scrapheap veteran like McDonald is a nice move by the Phillies.