C.J. Cron was in just his 13th game with the Detroit Tigers when a damaged ligament in his left knee ended his 2020 season.
It was his fourth team in four years after being traded by one team and waived by another.
Signed on a minor league with the Colorado Rockies ahead of the 2021 season, Cron would find himself a home for the first time in a long while.
Cron was drafted in 2011 and developed by the Los Angeles Angels over the course of seven seasons. He bounced around the American League looking for consistency in four different cities despite being valued at 5.2 wins above replacement by Baseball Reference.
Eventually, he found the right spot with the Rockies.
Through the first three months of 2021, Cron hit .252 – right around his career batting average – with 10 home runs and 31 RBI to help solidify the middle of Colorado’s batting order.
Apr 19, 2022; Denver, Colorado, USA; Colorado Rockies first baseman C.J. Cron (25) celebrates defeating the Philadelphia Phillies at Coors Field. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
In August, he broke out in a major way with a .387 average, 11 homers and 34 RBI on his way to the National League Player of the Month Award.
“I think he’s become extremely comfortable in his own skin about who he is, like an everyday legitimate Major League power hitter,” manager Bud Black said of his first baseman. “And it’s sort of taken a while to get there. I think with last season, what he did, I think solidified in his mind the confidence that he can do what he’s doing and, hopefully, in the coming years to continue to have this performance.”
Since his two homer game on Aug 6 last season, Cron has gone deep 20 times. Only Kansas City’s Salvador Perez (26) and San Francisco’s Brandon Belt (22) have more since then.
While it may be just 16 games into the 2022 regular season, Cron has picked up where he left off. His six home runs are currently tied for most in the NL and his 17 RBI stand alone at the top.
Get comfortable because this production may not be stopping any time soon.
Patrick Lyons: The DH has allowed the team to rotate guys in and out of the lineup. When you’re not in there, Connor Joe has been at first base. How impressive has he been defensively all around the field?
C.J. Cron: He’s good. He can play a couple different positions really well. I think it’s good to get guys off their feet and with him being able to play two spots in the outfield plus first base is big for us. It’s great to be on his team.
Apr 24, 2022; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Colorado Rockies first baseman C.J. Cron (25) tosses the ball to starting pitcher Chad Kuhl (not pictured) to make an out during the fifth inning against the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports
Lyons: That versatility allows you guys to mix and match a lot better. Does CoJo ever pick your brain about different mechanics and other scenarios at first base?
Cron: Not really mechanics. More situational. He likes to ask me how I would approach a certain situation. I mean, he knows what he’s doing. But at the same time he likes to learn and maybe I’ve been playing a little bit longer than him so I could try to help as much as I can. But he’s a great kid and he’s fun to help.
Lyons: I’m curious about your batting stance. Where did standing straight up come from?
Cron: I did it during my short time in Detroit in 2020. It just feels more comfortable. That’s really all it is. I wanted to just get as comfortable in the box as possible. I didn’t want to have to force anything, especially in my stance just to make everything a little bit easier. And I think it paid dividends pretty much right away.
Lyons: Would you say it has slowly evolved into that? More open to face the pitcher over time, maybe? I haven’t seen those early at bats with LA.
Cron: Well, it’s not very good, but my stance had more of a knee bend. It wasn’t as comfortable for me.
Lyons: Andrés Galarraga – a former Rockie – was one of the first guys that really opened up his stance. It looks kind of foreign to just have your whole body opened up to the pitcher.
Cron: I just do that so I can use both eyes and just to get my head turned a little bit more, so it seems practical with me.
Lyons: The strike zone size changes with that stand-up approach, obviously. But comfort is more important?
Cron: I don’t really think about the zone when I’m standing at the plate. It’s just natural, I guess. Take the balls, hit the strikes.
Lyons: The words comfortable and confident come up a lot. Buddy mentions that when talking about what you’ve done with the club so far. What’s it been for you being a part of this organization since last year to make you feel that comfortable?
Cron: It’s special. They’ve made me feel super welcomed ever since I’ve walked through these doors. It’s been a kind of a different feeling from what I’ve had in my career in the past and they’ve done such a good job making me feel welcome that I’m super comfortable here.
