The Los Angeles Angels have one of Minor League's more powerful hitters coming up in their system right now. Following a terrific year in High-A Ball, first baseman C.J. Cron was named the California League Rookie of the Year.
Cron, 22, was selected with the 17th overall pick in the 2011 Draft out of the University of Utah. He hit .293 this season with an impressive .843 OPS. Cron led the league with 27 homers and 123 runs batted in.
"It's exciting to hear," said Inland Empire 66ers manager Bill Haselman upon hearing of Cron's Rookie Of The Year Award win. "He's the best power hitter in the league. Driving in tuns is the name of the game and Cron delivered all year long."
The slugging first baseman entered the season as the team's No. 3 overall prospect, according to FanGraphs. Given the graduation of Mike Trout to the big leagues and numerous top-prospects heading to Milwaukee in exchange for Zack Greinke, Cron could enter 2013 as the club's No. 1 prospect.
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