The parade of rookies continues for the Phillies as Nefi Ogando gets the call up to replace injured rookie Elvis Araujo. Ogando came into the Phillies organization in a trade with Boston that sent out SS John MacDonald. Last year Ogando saw a big jump in fastball velocity and was sitting 96-98 touching 100 with a potential plus slider. He had problems with control and players in AA were able to time him up. This year he returned to AA with a little less velocity sitting more 93-96 touching 97+, but the slider still flashes plus, and will even show you an above average changeup some days. The likely outcome is something resembling Luis Garcia, complete with all the frustration. The control problems could end up making him more of an up and down guy, but if he can harness it all a bit more he could be an impact reliever.
He will be the 8th rookie to make their debut with the Phillies this year, the youth movement moves ever onward.