Juan Carlos Negret is one of the many Cuban players that are playing in the Liga Mexicana de Béisbol this season. Negret is part of a Dorados de Chihuahua team, that also has his countrymen Alejandro Rivero and Rogelio Quesada on the roster and the recently signed Cuban-American Elih Villanueva will join the squad soon.
Negret joined the team on April 27th and in 16 games with the Aztec ballclub is hitting .269, while also driving in eight runs over that span. Negret who signed with the Atlanta Braves in 2017 spent several years in the minor leagues and also played in the Kansas City Royals farm system, getting as high as A+ ball.
In six seasons in the minors the slugger slashed .212/.308/.410/.718, went yard 90 times and knocked in 318 runs before being released by KC in 2023. Negret is hoping to establish as a feared power-hitter in the LMB in the near future.
This is your first season the Mexican League. Tell us about it?
Firstly, I’m grateful to the Chihuahua for giving me the opportunity. This league is very talented. Though I’ve only played a few games, I’m adapting well. I didn’t expect to come in ready against this level of pitching because I wasn’t playing, I was at home training and just taking batting practice. But when I came here I found out that I was surprisingly in game shape.
What was it like for you to join a team where there were already several Cuban players on it?
It was a pleasant surprise, because I feel like I’m playing in Cuba. Since I arrived, all of them have welcomed me and helped me get accustomed to the league.
What did it feel like to hit a home run at the Field of Dreams?
What can I tell you! It was a great moment in my career. Even todat I have no words to describe it. I still watch the video because that was an of incredible feat that it was.
Would you like to play winter?
Yes, I would like to continue playing without a lapse and stay in game shape this winter. Doing this will create new and wonderful experiences for me.
At some point in your career do you plan to return to the Serie Nacional?
I would like to return to Cuba with the Indios de Guantánamo because when I was younger I didn’t have the opportunity to play in our national tournament. I would relish the opportunity to represent my province in the Serie Nacional one day.