Nefi Ogando

WTM’S PIRATE PLAYER PROFILES

2010
DSL:  3-1-0, 2.91 ERA, 1.41 WHIP, 34.0 IP, 4.0 BB/9, 8.2 K/9

Aside from some control issues, Ogando had a solid debut, although at 21 he was old for the DSL.  He made four starts and seven relief appearances.

2011
A-:  1-5-0, 2.83 ERA, 1.47 WHIP, 57.1 IP, 4.9 BB/9, 6.0 K/9

Ogando had a good ERA in the New York-Penn League, but his numbers otherwise weren’t strong, including his walk and K rates.  He made two starts, but mostly pitched in relief.

2012
A:  4-4-2, 3.70 ERA, 1.41 WHIP, 75.1 IP, 4.1 BB/9, 6.5 K/9

The Red Sox assigned Ogando to low A, where he spent the season pitching in relief.  He again had weak walk and K rates.

2013
A+:  2-3-3, 4.09 ERA, 1.38 WHIP, 55.0 IP, 4.4 BB/9, 7.2 K/9

In high A, Ogando continued along the same lines.  Boston sent him to the Phillies in a late August waiver deal for John McDonald.

2014
AA:  5-1-7, 6.27 ERA, 1.64 WHIP, 56.0 IP, 4.5 BB/9, 9.2 K/9

Ogando struggled in AA due to poor command.  He did increase his K rate significantly.  The Phillies put him on their 40-man roster after the season.

2015
AA:  2-3-2, 2.86 ERA, 1.27 WHIP, 34.2 IP, 4.9 BB/9, 8.6 K/9
AAA:  2-2-1, 2.86 ERA, 1.37 WHIP, 28.1 IP, 3.8 BB/9, 7.0 K/9
MLB:  0-0-0, 9.00 ERA, 2.25 WHIP, 4.0 IP, 4.5 BB/9, 4.5 K/9

The Phillies sent Ogando back to AA and he pitched much better, although walks remained a problem.  He moved up to AAA for the second half, then made four appearances for the Phillies in September.  After the season, Philadelphia put Ogando on waivers and the Marlins claimed him.

2016
A+:  0-1-0, 9.00 ERA, 1.67 WHIP, 3.0 IP, 3.0 BB/9, 9.0 K/9
AAA:  0-0-2, 3.33 ERA, 1.19 WHIP, 24.1 IP, 4.1 BB/9, 7.0 K/9
MLB:  0-0-0, 2.30 ERA, 1.15 WHIP, 15.2 IP, 4.6 BB/9, 4.6 K/9

The Marlins sent Ogando to AAA to open the season, but called him up several times during the season.  He also missed over a month with a rib fracture.  He generally kept runs off the board without putting up good walk or K rates.  Miami designated him for assignment after the season and the Pirates claimed him.

The Pirates no doubt were attracted by Ogando’s velocity and the fact that he’s a groundball pitcher, although he’s not an extreme one.  He’s made very slow progress over the course of his career, but could continue improving.  He has an option left, but that won’t matter right away at least, as the Pirates designated Ogando for assignment to clear roster space for Phil Gosselin.  If he clears waivers, Ogando will provide bullpen depth in AAA.