| Alexi Ogando | |
|---|---|
 Ogando with the Braves in 2016 | |
| Pitcher | |
| Born: (1983-10-05)October 5, 1983 (age 42) San Pedro de Macorís,Dominican Republic | |
Batted: Right Threw: Right | |
| Professional debut | |
| MLB: June 15, 2010, for the Texas Rangers | |
| KBO: April 1, 2017, for the Hanwha Eagles | |
| Last appearance | |
| MLB: May 4, 2018, for the Cleveland Indians | |
| KBO: September 17, 2017, for the Hanwha Eagles | |
| MLB statistics | |
| Win–loss record | 33–19 |
| Earned run average | 3.50 |
| Strikeouts | 408 |
| KBO statistics | |
| Win–loss record | 10–5 |
| Earned run average | 3.93 |
| Strikeouts | 74 |
Stats atBaseball Reference  | |
| Teams | |
| Career highlights and awards | |
Alexi Ogando Acosta (born October 5, 1983) is aDominican former professionalbaseballpitcher. He played inMajor League Baseball (MLB) for theTexas Rangers,Boston Red Sox,Atlanta Braves andCleveland Indians, and in theKBO League for theHanwha Eagles. He was anMLB All-Star in 2011.
Ogando was born inSan Pedro de Macorís,Dominican Republic. He told theOakland Athletics that his name was Argenis Benitez, and signed with the team for $15,000 as anoutfielder in 2002.[1][2] After playing his rookie season in theDominican Summer League, Ogando batted .342 with 13doubles, sevenhome runs (second in theArizona League) and 36runs batted in for theAZL Athletics in 2003. The organization learned Ogando's real name that season.[1] He began the 2004 campaign with theVancouver Canadians, but after starting the season 0 for 13 and batting .150 in six games, he was demoted back to Arizona. Despite not joining the Arizona League until July 1, he finished second in the league with six home runs and had twentyextra base hits. As a hitter, Ogando was noted for his raw power and bat speed, drawing comparisons toAlex Ríos from his Arizona League Athletics manager Ruben Escalera.[3]
The Texas Rangers acquired Ogando in therule 5 draft in December 2005 and converted him into apitcher.[4] He earned an invitation tospring training in 2005; however, when he went to the U.S. embassy to pick up his work visa that January, consulate officials were waiting. They had noticed that an inordinate number of young minor league ballplayers had been married in a short period of time to women who had previously been denied visas, and it raised a red flag. Ogando immediately admitted guilt to his involvement in a human trafficking ring, and was assured that he would likely only receive a one-year exclusion, and that he would be able to reapply the following year. As it turned out, he was banned from entering the United States for five years, limiting him to winter ball, the Dominican Summer League and international tournaments.[5][6] Further efforts included sending Ogando to workouts in Japan, to see if anyNippon Professional Baseball teams were interested in his services.[7] Japanese interest in Ogando was not high, and he spent three seasons out of the DSL Rangers' bullpen, going 11–3 with a 1.11 earned run average and 114 strikeouts and holding batters to a .209 batting average. The Texas Rangers contacted the United States government, then led by former team ownerGeorge W. Bush, and Ogando was eventually pardoned, after speaking out on the dangers of human trafficking.[8]
On February 12, 2010, Ogando andOmar Beltré, who was also involved in the human trafficking ring out of the Dominican Republic, were granted visas, and allowed to attend spring training, arriving in the U.S. on February 16.[9] After spring training, he was assigned to the double AFrisco RoughRiders and soon earned a promotion to triple A after dominating theTexas League with a 1.15 ERA in 15.2 innings.
Although he made three starts with Frisco, he pitched exclusivelyin relief with theOklahoma City RedHawks. He appeared in 11 games with Oklahoma City before earning a trip to the major leagues. He replacedstarting pitcherRich Harden on the 25 man roster when Harden was placed on the fifteen-day disabled list with a leftgluteal muscle strain.[10] He made his major league debut on June 15, pitching one inning and earning the win against theFlorida Marlins.[11] Playing in an NL park, Ogando also got his firsthit as a batter. Ogando became just the third relief pitcher since 1900 to win his first three major league appearances.[12] Ogando finished the season with a 4–1 record and a 1.30 ERA.[13]
Ogando started the 2011 season as the Texas Rangers' fifth starter following an injury toTommy Hunter in spring training.[14] He made his first start on April 5, pitching six scoreless innings against theSeattle Mariners.[15] He started the season 7–0 with a 2.20 ERA and one of the lowest WHIPs in the major leagues. He lost his first game as a starter in a blowout against the Yankees. On July 10, 2011, Ogando was named to the American League All Star team for the first time in his career. Ogando replacedCC Sabathia, who was replacingJames Shields, because each was starting against each other on Sunday before the All-Star break.[16][17]
Ogando's pitching performance saw a dramatic decline in the second-half of the season as his total innings far surpassed his 2010 totals. He finished 2011 with 13–8 record and a 3.51 ERA.[13]
In the playoffs, Ogando was converted back to a reliever and won in game 1 of the2011 ALCS against the Detroit Tigers.[18] Of Ogando's versatility as a starter and reliever, managerRon Washington remarked, "what a weapon to have".[19] In game 7 of the2011 World Series, Ogando relievedMike Gonzalez, who was injured and left the game with a 3-2 count on the batter,Allen Craig, and recorded the strikeout.[20][21]
On June 9, 2013, Ogando was added to the disabled list for the second time in the 2013 season.[22] He missed most of the 2014 season with injuries, pitching to a 2-3 record and a 6.84 ERA in 25 innings pitched.[23] He was non-tendered on December 2, 2014, and became a free agent.[24]
Ogando signed a one-year contract with theBoston Red Sox on January 30, 2015.[23] He elected free agency on November 6, 2015.[25]
Ogando joined theAtlanta Braves on a minor league deal in December 2015.[26][27] The team purchased his contract on April 2, 2016,[28] and designated him for assignment on June 27, and later released.[29]
On July 8, 2016, Ogando signed a minor league contract with theArizona Diamondbacks.[30] He opted out of his contract with Arizona on August 3.[31] With the Triple-AReno Aces, Ogando pitched to a 1–0 record and 13.50 ERA in 51⁄3 innings pitched.[32]
On January 10, 2017, Ogando signed a one-year, $1.8 million contract with theHanwha Eagles of theKBO League.[33] Ogando started the 13th game against KBO League Doosan Bears on August 9, 2017 in Jamsil Stadium. He was a winning pitcher, but he did not meet expectations. Despite the expectation of a 61-day return to the first game, but gave up six points, the game was left out of content.[34]
Ogando signed a minor league contract with theCleveland Indians on December 20, 2017.[35] The deal includes an invitation to the Indians' 2018 spring training camp.
The Indians purchased Ogando's contract on May 4, 2018. Ogando was optioned back to Triple-A Columbus after one appearance, then designated for assignment on May 20. He was outrighted to Columbus on May 25. Ogando declared free agency on October 5, 2018.[36]
· Baseball Almanac
