Birthdate: 01/05/1990
Height: 6’4"
Weight: 235 lbs.
Bats: R
Throws: R
The first thing that jumps out from Cron is his size. At 6-4, 235 pounds, Cron is being seen exclusively as a hitter. In Utah, Cron played first base and catcher, holding his own at the position behind the plate. Cron won the MWC Player of the Year for the second year in a row and rightfully so. Cron amassed a .434 average in 198 at bats with 31 walks and only 21 strike outs. His 15 home runs and 26 doubles aided his insane .803 slugging percentage, while being on base at a .517 clip.
Because of his size, Cron is expected to play first base or become a designated hitter. Cron has family in the major leagues with his father, Chris, being a manager of the Detroit Tigers Double-A affiliate, Lake Erie Seawolves, and former catcher, Chad Moeller, who played in the majors for 10 years.
From MLB.com:
There’s no question the University of Utah slugger understands the game, with a father managing in the Detroit Tigers system, a cousin in Chad Moeller, the former big league catcher, and even a younger brother who’s a high school prospect committed to TCU.
There’s also no question Cron can flat-out hit the baseball. He should hit for average and power, with the ability to hit with authority to all fields. He doesn’t have plus bat speed, but with terrific plate discipline and a natural feel for hitting, he’s going to be a productive offensive player.
He’s caught and played first base at Utah, and nearly everyone thinks he’ll be playing that infield corner as a professional. He’s not one who has to catch to have value. His bat will be just fine at first and should be more than enough to get him off the board fairly early.
From Utahutes.cstv.com:
About Cron: A two-time first-team All-American (2010 and 2011) … 2011 Golden Spikes Semifinalist … two-time Dick Howser Trophy semifinalist … two-time MWC Player of the Year … set Utah career record for batting average (.396) … only player in the country in 2009 to get three hits in a game off No. 1 MLB draft pick Stephen Strasburg (5/14/09) … played over the summer of 2010 with the Conduit Kettleers of the Cape Cod League and was near the top of the league in batting average, home runs and RBI before an injury … was scheduled to spend the second part of the summer with USA Baseball before being sidelined with an injury … comes from a baseball family.
From Diamond Scape Scouting:
Cron will make his money off the strength of his bat, which shows the potential to provide production both in the power department and as a pure hit tool. Because the Utes slugger is so big, and his arms so long, he can give them impression that his bat takes some time to get through the zone. While he certainly is no Rendon with regards to bat speed, he possesses more than enough to consistently square-up good velocity. While his long limbs and strong core help him to generate good leverage and big raw power, he will have to show that he can adequately cover the inner-half of the plate once faced with more advanced pitching and generally broader repertoires. Cron is comfortable in the box and shows a high level of understanding with regards to approach and pitch selection. He has the strength to hit oppo with power, and the discipline to allow pitches to travel on the outer half before dropping the barrel on the ball.
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