Colorado Rockies CJ Cron named National League player of the month

{child_byline}Danielle Allentuck

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DENVER — CJ Cron was searching for a team where he could play every day. The Rockies were on the hunt for a veteran bat that could anchor down the infield. The two found each other, and it’s safe to say it’s worked out pretty well for both parties.

Cron, after missing most of the 2020 season with a knee injury, signed a one-year minor league deal in February, just days before he had to report to spring training. On Wednesday, six months after that last-minute signing, he was named National League player of the month, the first Rockie to win that honor since Charlie Blackmon in 2019.

He hit .387/.463/.828 with eight doubles, 11 home runs and 34 RBIs in August, the most by a MLB player in a single month this season. He also led the National League in home runs with 11, was tied for second in hits with 36 and ranked third in on base percentage.

“I knew I could hit, whether or not I got the opportunity to show that was a different story,” Cron said. “That’s kind of why I wanted to come to Colorado, I felt the opportunity was the best for me to kind of showcase that I can still hit.”

Cron played for manager Bud Black in Anaheim in 2016, and Black asked the team to take a look at him. Black knew the potential for power that Cron had, but told him after signing that he would have to fight for his spot on the team.

The Rockies were concerned about his knee, not knowing how it would hold up. But Cron had rehabbed his knee in the offseason, and managed his workload in spring training to build himself up without burning out.

He impressed, and earned his spot on the opening day roster.

“I thought it was a great fit for CJ, and for us,” Black said. “There was enough of a track record to believe in him.”

Cron got off to a slow start, but, now a veteran of the league, didn’t panic. He had another setback in May, when he missed time with a back injury. He’s been been through this before, and knew that August has historically been his best month. That was true again this year.

“I don’t know why it takes so long, but it always comes,” he said. “It’s something that I can always fall back on right around the all star break, is kind of knowing in my head that there’s a good chance here I’m going to get going.”

After seven years in the American League, Cron is comfortable in the National League now and with the Rockies. He’s essentially locked into the fifth spot of the lineup, so much so that he doesn’t even check the lineup some days when he comes into the ballpark.

Next up for Cron, aside from finishing the season, will be finding a new contract. He’ll be a free agent at the end of the season, but has expressed that enjoys playing in Denver.

“I think this is a great fit for him,” Black said. “I think he likes what’s happening here.”