C.J. Cron, Utility Player, Colorado Rockies

Date of Birth: 1/5/1990
Birthplace: Fullerton, California
College: University of Utah

C.J. Cron, utility player for the Colorado Rockies, was first drafted by the Chicago White Sox in 2008 but he opted for college instead. After playing successfully in college for three years, he was drafted in 2011 by the Los Angeles Angels. Cron's father, Chris, also played in the major leagues but his career lasted for just two years, including one year with the Angels. He followed his playing career with a long career as a manager in the minor leagues. Cron's younger brother Kevin plays in the Arizona Diamondbacks' minor league system.

Cron played in the Angels' minor league system from 2011 through the beginning of 2014. He finished with a .289 batting average with 376 hits, 85 doubles, 60 home runs, and 273 RBIs in 325 games.

Cron joined the Angels for 79 games in 2014. He finished the season with 62 hits, 12 doubles, 11 home runs, 37 RBIs, 61 strikeouts to 10 walks, and a .256 batting average. Defensively, he played 36 games at first base. In the 2014 post-season, he had one hit in three games.

In 2015, Cron played in 113 games with the Angels. He finished the season with a .262 batting average, 99 hits, 17 doubles, 16 home runs, and 51 RBIs. Defensively, at first base, he made 31 assists, 33 double plays, 385 putouts, and 6 errors for a .986 fielding percentage.

Cron played in 116 games with the Angels in 2016. He finished the season with 113 hits, 25 doubles, 16 home runs, 69 RBIs, and a .278 batting average. Defensively, as the Angels' first baseman in 97 games, he made 48 assists, 78 double plays, 761 putouts, and 6 errors.

In 2017, Cron batted .248 in 100 games with the Angels. He had 84 hits, 14 doubles, 16 home runs, 56 RBIs, and 96 strikeouts to 22 walks. Defensively, as the Angels' first baseman in 98 games, he made 61 assists, 63 double plays, 745 putouts, and 4 errors. He had a .995 fielding percentage.

The Angels traded Cron to the Tampa Bay Rays on February 17, 2018. He finished the 2018 season with 127 hits, 28 doubles, 30 home runs, 74 RBIs, and a .253 batting average in 140 games.

The Minnesota Twins claimed Cron off waivers on November 26, 2018. He finished the 2019 season with 116 hits, 24 doubles, 25 home runs, 78 RBIs, 107 strikeouts to 29 walks, and a .253 batting average in 125 games. Defensively, as a first baseman in 117 games, he made 61 assists, 87 double plays, 927 putouts, and 8 errors. In the postseason, he had 1 hit in 5 at-bats in 2 games.

Cron became a free agent on December 2, 2019. He signed with the Detroit Tigers on December 21st. He played in just 13 games in 2020.

Cron elected free agency on October 28, 2020. He signed a minor league contract with the Rockies on February 16, 2021. He played in 142 games in 2021, and he had a strong season. He had 132 hits, 31 doubles, 28 home runs, 92 RBIs, 117 strikeouts to 60 walks, and a .281 batting average. Defensively as a first baseman, he made 90 assists, 103 double plays, 1,040 putouts, and 10 errors in 130 games, and he had a .991 fielding percentage.

Career batting statistics for Cron through 2021 include:

• 828 games played
• 741 hits
• 154 doubles
• 146 home runs
• 465 RBIs
• 699 strikeouts to 208 walks
• .261 batting average

Career fielding statistics for Cron at first base through 2021 include:

• 610 games played
• 342 assists
• 442 double plays
• 4,655 putouts
• 30 errors
• .992 fielding percentage

Sources for Information
Wikipedia - C.J. Cron
ESPN - C.J. Cron