The Phillies have traded right-hander Juan Nicasio to the St. Louis Cardinals in exchange for infielder Eliezer Alvarez, Vice President & General Manager Matt Klentak announced today.
Ranked by Baseball America as the 10th-best prospect in the Cardinals minor league system prior to this season, Alvarez, 22, batted .248 with a .318 on-base percentage and .390 slugging percentage in 61 combined minor league games for the Cardinals this year, 54 of which came at double-A Springfield.
Last season, in 116 games for single-A Peoria, Alvarez hit .323 with a .404 on-base percentage, .476 slugging percentage and had 36 doubles, six triples, six home runs and 36 stolen bases. He was named a 2016 Midwest League Mid-Season All-Star and led the Cardinals minor league system in doubles and stolen bases.
Alvarez was added to the Cardinals' 40-man roster following his 2016 All-Star campaign.
Nicasio, claimed off waivers on August 31, made two scoreless appearances for the Phillies and picked up the win in his first appearance for the club, September 1 at Miami.