Get to know emerging #REDS star & OHIO CUP MVP Kris Negron with this profile! - Good stuff! - KRISTOPHER NEGRON SEIZING MAJORS OPPORTUNITY WITH REDS! By Manny Randhawa - MLB August 7, 2014 17:54 EDT CINCINNATI -- Its been a long road to the Majors for utility man Kris Negron. But now that hes in the big leagues, hes making the most of his opportunity. Negron, who was selected by the Red Sox in the 2006 First-Year Player Draft and traded to the Reds in 09, made his Major League debut in 2012 and appeared in four games for Cincinnati that season. Since being called up on July 10 of this season, the 28-year-old has performed well, coming on particularly strong at the plate recently. In the Reds wins over the Indians on Tuesday and Wednesday, Negron went 5-for-9 with two doubles, a home run, four RBIs and four runs scored. He had a career-high three hits and three runs scored in Wednesdays victory. After hitting three homers in 219 at-bats this season with Triple-A Louisville prior to his callup, Negron entered Thursdays series finale having hit three in 39 at-bats with the Reds. Hes a guy that seized the opportunity, manager Bryan Price said. He hasnt become a callous Triple-A player, and I think, unfortunately, thats what happens. I dont think its uncommon. I do think its human instinct: sometimes you wonder what youve got to do to get yourself out of Triple-A. You just never give up, Negron said. Ive been wanting to get up here and play my entire life, and youre not going to have a bad attitude or not give it my all. So I just told myself: You know what, Im just going to play as hard as I can and leave it up to whoevers hands its in. Negron suffered a setback in 2012, his seventh season in the Minors, when he sustained ACL and medial meniscus tears in his right knee on July 5. The injury required season-ending surgery. Last year, the whole year, I had that big knee brace on, and I was kinda worried about it just because I had never been hurt in my life, he said. It was a long season, but I went to Puerto Rico this offseason and I played for Caguas down there and didnt wear the knee brace. That helped me out mentally, and when I came to Spring Training, I felt healthy and rode it through Spring Training. Price said Negrons confidence has been palpable over the last three weeks. I know when hes out there, he carries himself like he expects to be successful, Price said. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
Posted on: Fri, 08 Aug 2014 02:15:41 +0000