There’s a New Kid in Town

Let’s be honest here. Chances are exceptionally good that many – perhaps even most – Dodger fans had no idea who 33-year-old Kristopher Negrón was prior to this past Sunday when the Dodgers traded 26-year-old minor league infielder Danial Castro to the Seattle Mariners for him.

Oh sure, some Dodger fans may have heard the name before and some may even remember him from when the Dodgers played the Mariners during interleague play just last season. But it’s probably safe to say that all but the most ardent Dodger fans weren’t aware that in his three seasons with the Cincinnati Reds, two seasons with the Arizona Diamondbacks, and two seasons with the Mariners, he had hit a grand total of seven major league home runs.

Today, there is zero doubt – none whatsoever – that every Dodger fan on the planet knows who Kristopher Negrón is now.

In his Dodgers debut on Tuesday evening against the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field, the Willingboro, NJ native and seventh-round draft pick by the Boston Red Sox in 2006 out of Cosumnes River College in Sacramento, CA hit a solo home run off of Rockies left-hander Kyle Freeland; and then on Tuesday afternoon hit a two-run shot off of Rockies All-Star right-hander Wade Davis.

Talk about instant endearment with Dodger fans. Negrón nailed it!

Never in his six major league seasons has Negrón ever hit home runs in consecutive games; not once. He did hit two over a three-game period while with the Reds in 2014, but that was as close as he got. In fact, aside from that 2014 season when he slugged a total of six home runs, Negrón has never hit more than one home run in any other season.

Since becoming a Dodger on Sunday, Negrón is 3-for-8 (.375) with two home runs and three RBI. (Photo credit – David Zalubowski)

But wait… There’s more!

In his combined 18 innings as the Dodgers second baseman, Negrón has yet to commit an error in 12 total chances for a perfect 1.000 fielding percentage. In fact, over his six major league seasons, Negrón boasts a very impressive combined .984 FPCT, having played every defensive position except catcher and pitcher. Even Dodgers fan-favorite Kiké Hernandez, who has played every defensive position except catcher, has a combined FPCT of .981 over his six major league seasons.

Although Negrón’s fate with the Dodgers in uncertain and incumbent upon how long Hernandez remains on the (currently) 10-day injured list for a sprained left hand, it appears that Dodgers president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman may have found yet another diamond in the rough in Kristopher Negrón – just as he did with guys named, Chris Taylor, Max Muncy David Freese, Tyler White and, of course, Kiké.

“There’s a new kid in town. Everybody’s talking.”The Eagles

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7 Responses to “There’s a New Kid in Town”

  1. @KNegs17 Yup, I’m one of fans who didn’t know Negron but I looked him up right away thinking that FO… https://t.co/b4HNqIMugY

  2. Boxout7 says:

    Negron’s Dodgers debut is what we want for every new Dodger. Unfortunately, it seems the bright lights of LA cause disappointment with acquisitions more often than not. Keep it up Negron.

    Justin Turner, Chris Taylor, Max Muncy and David Freese have all been nice acquisitions, although I believe Turner was a Ned find. All have exceeded expectations, good job guys.

    Lastly, it appears the sellers yesterday were demanding the moon for elite relievers. While it would have been nice, I think Friedman was right in not paying the ridiculous prices the other teams must have been asking. While we all would have liked Vazquez his role on the team wouldn’t have justified the cost, in my opinion. I just don’t think a single reliever can influence a game like a starter or position player can.

    I noticed that two of the better run organizations, Yankees and Cardinals, didn’t pay the huge prices either.

  3. Could it just be the Dodger uniform that’s making Negron hit those HRs?

  4. Manuel says:

    I was expecting no less than a quality glove from Negron (why even have him around otherwise?), but his sharp baserunning awareness and surprisingly productive bat in that Colorado series have both been a nice little bonus on top of that. He’s won me over completely. Gotta keep thanking the Mariners for giving the Dodgers their more undervalued system players these past few years, I pray it NEVER ends!
    🙂

  5. Bob says:

    Heck, I was only wondering if he might be related to Chuck Negrón (Three Dog Night).

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