By Rich Mancuso/ Sports Editor
Ricky Negron was not a cinch this time around as the later rounds of the annual MLB amateur draft hit the boards. Then the call came late Wednesday afternoon as he monitored the draft with his father Ray, who has been around baseball the past 40 years, and now as a special consultant with the New York Yankees.
The Atlanta Braves made the call. Negron, a 22-year old infielder from Babylon, New York was picked in the 34th round and the hard work of getting selected paid off. Ricky got some congratulatory calls at the Tampa home of his dad. Yankees Hall of Famer, “Mr. October” Reggie Jackson and Roberto Alomar, another baseball great in the Hall of Fame, were thrilled.
“Sure I was going to get picked,” said Negron, “I was just a little nervous.” Who can blame him as the hard work earned this opportunity and chances of getting another call next June were not as good as this one. Though there is always confidence that the call would come, baseball has become a big business and this annual draft does provide some drama.
“Ricky has earned the opportunity to play professional baseball,” Jackson said after he left the Yankees clubhouse late Wednesday night in Anaheim California. “I have worked with him and know that he could always hit. Just like anyone in this situation all Ricky has needed was that chance.”
Reggie Jackson, Ricky Negron and Roberto Alomar
Added Jackson, “Jon Hart and the Braves are showing true class in giving young Mr. Negron this opportunity.”
Hart, the General Manager of the Braves went with criteria that longtime scout Tom Giordano provided. Known as “T-Bone” by his associates in the game, Giordano has been around the game over 60 years as a player and a scout.
“If Ricky Negron is given an opportunity to play you will see a kid that’s gonna hit some home runs,” Giordano said. “Natural raw power and great makeup. I’m just happy that we picked him.
Yes, it does help that his dad is around the game all year. There are contacts, but Ricky earned the opportunity with the University of Tampa, one of 13 from their elite baseball program that also got the call. It is also the second time around in the draft process as the first call from the San Diego Padres, in the 2014 draft, was opted instead by getting more playing experience at Auburn University
“Just hard work and staying at it,” he said. “I kept working whether I was playing, working with my father, [or] coaching.”
It’s the power swing that he brought to the table as a righthanded hitter. Ricky worked with coach Joe Urso and the Braves monitored the swing in his final year at Tampa. He hit for average and had a slugging percentage over .400.
“Pretty much the power bat,” he said. “They can turn you into some type of player but you can’t really teach power.” However, teams look for power in a game that is now dominated by pitching, speed, and of course the long ball. A majority of teams during the three-day draft went with picks that offered power and pitching.
Alomar, a 12-time All-Star, won more Gold Gloves (10) than any other second baseman in baseball history and won the third most Silver Slugger Awards, (4) for a second baseman. Through his longtime friendship with Ray Negron, he was able to work with Ricky on the swing and continue to develop that confidence.
That friendship grew further and Alomar, with the baseball instincts became the Godfather to Ricky during his years as a player with the Cleveland Indians.
“I was hoping that someone would have took him out of high school,” Alomar said. “I have worked with Ricky since he was five years old. We always took ground ball together in Cleveland and I always knew he had natural baseball instincts. It’s not surprising that Jon Hart would be behind this since he has seen my Godson Ricky grow up.”
And now it will be decision time. In a few days, Braves executives in charge of signing talent will meet with Ricky Negron and make their offer. Atlanta is a franchise in a rebuilding process and youth is something that has become a priority as more than one draft pick has reached the big league level.
Of course, Ray Negron, the father will be there providing the proper advice as he has always been there for his son, one of three that he has raised during his baseball life. It will be a great Father’s Day for father and son. Signing that contract is the first goal in getting to the big club.
“One day, the big leagues,” said Ricky as the celebration continued down in Tampa. “Just for now, taking it one day at time working everyday.”
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