Miguel Negron

Organization Prospect Rankings

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  Ranked Toronto Blue Jays #23 prospect in 2005
  Of the Blue Jays' top picks in each draft from 1987-2002, Negron (first round, 2000) is the only player who hasn't reached the majors. While he's progressing slowly, though, he's still likely to extend that remarkable streak of success. Negron might have the best raw tools of any Toronto prospect. His defensive ability in center field, complete with plus arm strength and the best speed in the system, is enough by itself to carry him to the big leagues as a reserve outfielder. The question is his bat. He spent parts of three seasons in low Class A before rising to Dunedin last season. Nagging hamstring and elbow injuries have hindered his progress, but he's equipped with good bat speed and average raw power. The Blue Jays are encouraged by his improved knowledge of the strike zone, but he'll need to work counts more and strike out less to be more than a defensive replacement. He will make his Double-A debut in 2005, when the Jays hope he can get 500 at-bats for the first time in his career.
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  Ranked Toronto Blue Jays #27 prospect in 2004
  Negron wasn't protected on the 40-man roster this offseason and went through the major league Rule 5 draft unclaimed, two signs that his career has stalled. He still has the tools that caused the Jays to draft him in the first round. While Negron was picked with an eye on managing the budget, he offers above-average speed and defense. He's a true center fielder who has enough arm and instincts to play all three outfield positions. For now, though, Negron profiles as no more than a fourth outfielder because his bat lags behind. Part of the problem is his approach. He's just starting to realize he's not a power hitter, and was making some progress on that front in winter ball back in his native Puerto Rico. The other part of the problem is injuries. A strained hamstring sidelined him in early June last year, and an elbow strain ended his season shortly after he returned later that month. Negron hasn't taken to the organization's plate-discipline doctrine and must do so to parlay his first-round tools into a big league career. He should get his first shot at high Class A in 2004.
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  Ranked Toronto Blue Jays #16 prospect in 2003
  The Blue Jays have been pleased with the progress of the first of their Puerto Rican first-round picks, protecting Alexis Rios on their 40-man roster this offseason. They'll face that decision with Negron after the 2003 season. Always grouped with Rios because of their common heritage and draft status, Negron is a completely different player. He made great improvements in maturity and in his approach in 2002. As one Toronto official put it, he tucked away his macho pride and focused on the smaller parts of the game. Negron is one of the faster players in the system and plays an excellent center field with a plus arm. He's getting stronger and making better use of his pull power, but he needs to tone down his swing, use the whole field and take better advantage of his speed. Negron will face a challenge in high Class A in 2003, and he's still young for that level. If he shows he can make consistent hard contact, he should follow Rios' path to the 40-man roster.
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  Ranked Toronto Blue Jays #14 prospect in 2002
  Negron is frequently linked with Alexis Rios because they were first-round picks out of Puerto Rico in consecutive years, but they're pretty different in terms of tools. Where Rios is long, lean and has plenty of power potential, Negron's game is predicated much more on speed. He's a plus runner and one of the fastest players in the system, and his range and solid arm make him a true center fielder. While he's more mature physically at a similar stage than Rios was, Negron is a year behind in development and in emotional maturity. He has some power, just enough to make him forget to play within himself and use his speed to his advantage. Negron's ceiling began to show last year after he was demoted to short-season Auburn, where he showed better patience and the ability to steal bases. He'll get a second try in the South Atlantic League in 2002.

Minor League Top Prospects

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  Ranked Pioneer League #20 prospect in 2000
  Negron showed enough tools to make the top 20 and enough deficiency to get relegated to No. 20 as a newly minted first-round draft pick. He runs well and fields well, and Norman was amazed by his arm strength, coming from such a skinny, small body. But therein lies the rub. Negron needs to get stronger and a good deal more patient to have much of an impact as a hitter. He was slowed by injury early in the season, and managers considered him a good bet to repeat the league next year.

• December, 2001 Scouting Report
  Negron is frequently linked with Alexis Rios because they were first-round picks out of Puerto Rico in consecutive years, but they're pretty different in terms of tools. Where Rios is long, lean and has plenty of power potential, Negron's game is predicated much more on speed. He's a plus runner and one of the fastest players in the system, and his range and solid arm make him a true center fielder. While he's more mature physically at a similar stage than Rios was, Negron is a year behind in development and in emotional maturity. He has some power, just enough to make him forget to play within himself and use his speed to his advantage. Negron's ceiling began to show last year after he was demoted to short-season Auburn, where he showed better patience and the ability to steal bases. He'll get a second try in the South Atlantic League in 2002.
• December, 1999 Scouting Report
  Negron showed enough tools to make the top 20 and enough deficiency to get relegated to No. 20 as a newly minted first-round draft pick. He runs well and fields well, and Norman was amazed by his arm strength, coming from such a skinny, small body. But therein lies the rub. Negron needs to get stronger and a good deal more patient to have much of an impact as a hitter. He was slowed by injury early in the season, and managers considered him a good bet to repeat the league next year.