According to the Appalachian League's transactions page, Ariel Ovando has been demoted.
Ovando, who signed as an international free agent for a then-record bonus of $2.5m, Ovando has struggled in his pro career. Debuting as a 17-year old in Greeneville in 2011, Ovando hit .235/.283/.365 with 51K:12BB in 184 PAs. He enjoyed a nice bounce-back year in 2012, hitting .287/.350/.444 with 21 extra-base hits in 59 games, 67K:22BB but has bottomed-out in 2013. In 49 games for Quad Cities, Ovando hit .172/.250/.219 with 57 strikeouts in 189 PAs. In two games for Greeneville, he's 0x6 with 3K.
Ovando is still young - he has only played in 154 professional games - and is 19 years old. The average hitter in the Midwest League is 21.3 years old, so it's not time to tear clothes or anything like that.
We didn't come out here to play tiddlywinks, son.
-Hal Smith
