Up Close With Sophomore Standout Jim Negrych
2/9/2005 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
Up Close With Sophomore Standout Jim Negrych
2/9/2005
|
Jim Negrych was the 2004 Big East Rookie of the Year. |
?We not only want to win the Big East Tournament, but ultimately we would like to go to the College World Series,? said Negrych.
Negrych, who was the 2004 Big East Rookie of the Year, led the Panthers to a 38-18 record during the regular season and their first trip to the conference tournament since 2000. He also earned Freshman All-America honors last year from Baseball America and Louisville Slugger. A second-team All-Big East Selection, Negrych finished among the conference?s leaders in numerous categories and became
Negrych said the transition from high school to college ball was not easy because it is a much faster game.
?I started off real slow last year,? Negrych said. ?I had to get used to the speed and once the season started, I just took it with a stride and worked on getting better.?
As a freshman at the
This past summer in the New England Collegiate Baseball League (NECBL), Negrych got to show off more of his skills in front of a larger audience.
?The summer league was very exciting," said Negrych. "I got to meet a lot of people and play in a completely different atmosphere in front of a larger crowd.?
Negrych batted .354 while leading the NECBL in Home Runs (9), RBIs (39), total bases (90) and slugging percentage (.625). He also added 14 stolen bases and led
After a successful first year at Pitt and an equally successful summer, Negrych believes him and his teammates are going to keep getting better.
?Aside from winning, I would say my biggest satisfaction is to go out there and do what I know I can do and help make my teammates better players. If we all keep doing what we have been doing, then we are going to improve as a team.?
This year, along with being named a preseason All-American by the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association of America (NCBWA), Negrych is also one of 58 student-athletes named to the 2005 Brooks Wallace Watch List, given annually to the national college baseball player of the year.
Negrych has also been tabbed the Big East Preseason Player of the Year. Most recently, Negrych has been selected to the preseason all-conference team and listed as a top prospect in the 2005 draft at No. 2 by Baseball America, who described him as the best pure hitter and best defensive second baseman. Also, Baseball America placed him at No. 35 on a list of the top 50 college sophomores.
Despite all his awards, Negrych describes himself as straight-forward and says he takes baseball very seriously.
?I am real serious when it comes to playing baseball,? Negrych added. ?It is always a game, but it is more like my job or duty. Most people get up and go to work, but I get up to play baseball.?
Negrych, who is extremely excited to get the season started, says he still has a lot of hard work ahead of him.
?I have been working a lot with the wooden bat to help with a quicker swing. I know if I want to take my game to the next level I really have to improve my defense and start to be more consistent and patient at the plate.?
Negrych believes that this year?s team is still very strong up the middle and they are all very excited for the season to start.
?Just because we are playing baseball in the North doesn?t mean we won?t be noticed by the nation.?