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Chris Cron
Chris Cron
Chris Cron
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Christopher John Cron Sr. (born March 31, 1964) is an American former professional baseball player, manager, and current coach. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the California Angels and Chicago White Sox, and has managed in Minor League Baseball (MiLB). As of 2021, he is the assistant hitting coach for the Athletics.

Key Information

He is the father of C.J. Cron and Kevin Cron who are also professional baseball players.

Career

[edit]

Drafted by the Atlanta Braves in the second round of the 1984 MLB draft, Cron made his MLB debut with the California Angels on August 15, 1991, and appeared in his final game on October 4, 1992.

During the 1995 season, Cron retired and became manager of the Bristol White Sox, a minor league affiliate of the Chicago White Sox, and has spent several years as a manager in the White Sox farm system.

Cron has managed at every level in the minor leagues, starting in 1995. His teams have included: Bristol (1995), Hickory (1996–97), Winston-Salem (1998 and 2005), Birmingham (1999 and 2006), Colorado Springs (2000–02), Great Falls (2003 and 2007–08), and Kannapolis (2004). He served as roving minor league infield coach in 2009. He was the manager of the Great Falls Voyagers in 2010.

On Monday, December 13, 2010, Cron was named manager of the Erie SeaWolves.[1][2] In 2013, he was selected as one of several managers for the All-Star Futures Game.[3] In 2019, he was hired as manager of the Reno Aces.[4] He managed his son, Kevin, while he was on the Aces in 2019.[5]

On January 14, 2022, Cron was hired as the assistant hitting coach for the Oakland Athletics.[6]

Personal

[edit]

His sons, C. J. and Kevin Cron, are professional baseball players. He is the cousin of Major League Baseball player Chad Moeller.[7]

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Chris Cron

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Christopher John Cron (born March 31, 1964) is an American former professional baseball player, longtime manager, and current coach in Major League Baseball. Drafted by the Atlanta Braves in the second round of the 1984 Major League Baseball Draft out of Santa Ana College, Cron began his professional career as a first baseman and spent several seasons in the minor leagues across multiple organizations. He made his MLB debut on August 15, 1991, with the California Angels at age 27, appearing in 10 games that season and batting .080 with no home runs or RBIs over 25 at-bats. The following year, he played in two games for the Chicago White Sox, marking the end of his brief big-league tenure, after which he continued playing in the minors until 1995. Transitioning to coaching and managing, Cron entered his 35th season in by 2018, accumulating over 19 years of managerial experience across various affiliates. He has managed teams including the Bristol White Sox, , Winston-Salem Warthogs, and , compiling a career record of 1,241 wins and 1,260 losses. Cron earned Minor League Manager of the Year honors twice, in the in 1998 and the Pioneer League in 2010. Notably, he managed his son with the in 2019, part of a prominent family that also includes his other son, , both of whom have played in MLB. In 2022, Cron joined the as an assistant hitting coach and, as of the team's 2026 coaching staff announced in November 2025, serves as hitting coach.

Early life

Childhood and upbringing

Chris Cron was born on March 31, 1964, in . Born in , Cron grew up in , where he spent much of his childhood. From a young age, Cron showed a deep passion for , often described as a child who "ate and slept" the sport while playing on the informal sandlots of Placentia. This early immersion shaped his dedication, with his initial exposure to the game coming through these local, unstructured play sessions rather than formal leagues.

Education and amateur baseball

Chris Cron attended El Dorado High School in , where he developed his skills during his high school years. He earned a reputation as a dangerous run-producing hitter during his tenure with the Golden Hawks, contributing to a sparkling amateur career that showcased his power at the plate and drew early attention from scouts. After high school, Cron continued his education and baseball development at Santa Ana College, playing for the Dons as a first baseman.

Playing career

Draft and minor league development

Cron was selected by the Atlanta Braves in the second round, 38th overall, of the 1984 Major League Baseball January Draft-Secondary Phase out of Santa Ana College. He began his professional career that year with the Rookie-level Pulaski Braves, where he hit .368 with 7 home runs in 32 games. Over the next two seasons, he progressed to Class-A affiliates of the Braves, playing for the Sumter Braves in 1985 (.240 average, 7 HR in 119 games) and the Durham Bulls in 1986 (.208 average, 7 HR in 90 games). Released by the Braves in October 1986, Cron signed with the California Angels organization in January 1987, starting at Class-A Angels (.276 average, 11 HR in 111 games) before a midseason promotion to the Palm Springs Angels (.272 average, 2 HR in 26 games). He remained with Palm Springs in 1988 (.251 average, 14 HR in 127 games). In 1989, he reached Double-A with the Midland Angels, posting a breakout .301 with 22 home runs and 103 RBI in 128 games, earning recognition as one of the organization's top power prospects. His strong performance led to a promotion to Triple-A Trappers in 1990, though the season was injury-shortened, limiting him to a .287 average with 17 home runs in 104 games. The following year, he returned to , hitting .293 with 22 home runs and 91 RBI, but faced challenges as a blocked by established players like and Lee Stevens, prompting him to request his release in November 1991 to pursue better opportunities. Cron signed with the Chicago White Sox in December 1991 and continued at Triple-A with the in 1992 (.278 average, 16 HR, 81 RBI in 140 games) before a brief major league call-up. He spent 1993 with the (.257 average, 22 HR in 126 games), followed by a 1994 season with the Cleveland Indians' (.231 average, 23 HR in 103 games), and a brief 1995 stint with (.217 average, 2 HR in 21 games). Across 12 minor league seasons from 1984 to 1995, spanning multiple organizations, Cron accumulated a .270 with 154 home runs, primarily at first base with some time at third base. At the Double-A level, he hit .301 with 22 home runs, while in Triple-A he hit 102 home runs over approximately 617 games.

Major League Baseball tenure

Cron made his Major League Baseball debut on August 15, 1991, with the California Angels against the Minnesota Twins at Angel Stadium, entering as a pinch hitter in the eighth inning and going 0-for-1 with a strikeout. Over the next month, he appeared in six games total for the Angels, primarily at first base, recording two hits in 15 at-bats for a .133 batting average while scoring one run. His limited playing time stemmed from organizational depth at first base, where established player Wally Joyner held the starting role. Following the 1991 season, Cron requested and received his unconditional release from the Angels on November 13, believing Joyner would re-sign and block further opportunities. He signed a minor league contract with the Chicago White Sox on December 6, 1991, and spent most of 1992 with their Triple-A affiliate in Vancouver, where he hit .278 with 16 home runs and 81 RBIs. The White Sox purchased his contract and called him up in September 1992, but he again saw sparse action in six games, going 0-for-10 at the plate while playing first base and left field, overshadowed by star first baseman Frank Thomas. His final MLB appearance came on October 4, 1992, against the Seattle Mariners. In his brief two-year MLB tenure across 12 games and 25 at-bats, Cron batted .080 with two hits, no home runs, and no RBIs, reflecting the challenges of breaking into established lineups despite solid production that prompted his initial call-ups. The Angels' decision to promote him from Triple-A in August 1991 had been driven by injuries and roster needs, but subsequent releases and limited roles highlighted positional competition as a key barrier to a longer big-league stay.

Managerial career

Early minor league managing

Following his retirement as a player in mid-1995, Chris Cron transitioned directly into management within the organization. On June 8, 1995, after hitting his 172nd career with the , Cron announced his retirement from playing and was appointed manager of the rookie-level Bristol White Sox in the . In his debut season, the team posted a 28-39 record, finishing fourth in the six-team South Division, providing Cron with an initial platform to apply his 12 years of professional playing experience—primarily as a —to guiding entry-level prospects. Cron advanced to manage the Single-A in the for the next two seasons. In , his first year, the Crawdads struggled with a 55-85 record, placing sixth in the Central Division amid a rebuilding effort focused on young talent. By 1997, Cron's emphasis on player fundamentals and discipline yielded improvement, as the team achieved a 76-64 mark, securing second place in the division and qualifying for the playoffs, where they lost in the first round; this success highlighted his ability to foster growth in developing hitters and fielders. Promoted to the High-A Winston-Salem Warthogs in the for 1998, Cron led the team to a division-winning 79-60 record, earning Manager of the Year honors for his strategic acumen and talent nurturing that propelled the Warthogs to the league finals, though they fell short of the championship. In 1999, he took the reins of the Double-A in the Southern League, guiding them to a solid 73-67 finish and third place in the West Division, further demonstrating his track record in elevating prospects through consistent performance and preparation. These early stints in the White Sox system underscored Cron's foundational role in player development during the late .

Later roles and achievements

Cron managed the Great Falls White Sox/Voyagers of the Rookie-level Pioneer League from 2007 to 2010, earning Pioneer League Manager of the Year honors in 2007 and leading the team to a playoff appearance in 2010. Cron transitioned to managing the Double-A , a Tigers affiliate, from 2011 to 2013, compiling a 200-225 regular-season record. In 2013, under his guidance, the SeaWolves finished second in the Western Division with a 76-66 mark, qualifying for the Eastern League playoffs for the first time since 2007, but lost in the first round. That same year, Cron served as a coach for the U.S. Team in the at , contributing to the event's showcase of top minor league prospects. After a stint as the Arizona Diamondbacks' hitting coordinator from 2014 to 2018, Cron returned to managing in 2019 with the Triple-A , the Diamondbacks' top affiliate in the . Notably, this season marked a family milestone, as Cron managed his son, , a who appeared in 82 games for Reno and later debuted in the majors with . Under Cron's leadership, eight Aces players made their Major League debuts that year, including pitchers Taylor and Jon Duplantier, highlighting his impact on advancing talent to the big leagues.

Coaching career

Transition to coaching

After managing the to a 66–74 record in 2019, Chris Cron did not return to a managerial role following the cancellation of the 2020 minor league season due to the . Instead, he took on an interim position as the Arizona Diamondbacks' Summer Camp Coordinator, overseeing development at the team's alternate training site in Scottsdale. This role marked the beginning of Cron's shift toward broader coaching responsibilities, building on his prior experience as the Diamondbacks' hitting coordinator from 2014 to 2018. In 2021, he advanced to field coordinator for the organization, where he directed on-field instruction and player development across all levels of the system. Cron's transition reflected a career pivot from hands-on team management to specialized coaching, utilizing his hitting expertise honed through more than 20 years of minor league managerial success, including over 1,100 wins. The coordinator positions provided opportunities to influence prospect development on a larger scale, preparing him for major league involvement.

Oakland Athletics role

In January 2022, Chris Cron joined the as assistant hitting coach, bringing over two decades of managing experience to support the major league staff. His appointment filled a key role under hitting coach Tommy Everidge, focusing on refining offensive strategies amid the team's rebuilding efforts. Cron's responsibilities include delivering hands-on hitting instruction to position players, overseeing their development through video analysis and mechanical adjustments, and contributing to in-game preparation such as scouting opponent pitchers. In 2024, joined him as a co-hitting coach, allowing Cron to specialize further in individualized player coaching while collaborating on broader team hitting philosophies. Under Cron's guidance, several hitters have shown notable progress, including Nick Kurtz, the team's 2024 first-round draft pick, who in July 2025 became the first in MLB to hit four home runs in a single game and earned Player of the Week honors. Cron praised Kurtz's mental resilience during early-season struggles, crediting his focused approach to adjustments. Similarly, outfielder improved his plate discipline post-2022, posting an over .800 in both 2023 and 2024 seasons, reflecting the staff's emphasis on selective aggression. As of November 2025, Cron remains on the coaching staff, set to continue as hitting coach alongside Aldrete for the 2026 season with no reported contract changes.

Personal life

Immediate family

Chris Cron is married to Linda Cron, with whom he has three children: sons C.J. and , and daughter Carly. His eldest son, C.J. Cron (full name Christopher John Cron), was born on January 5, 1990, in Fullerton, California. The younger son, Kevin Scott Cron, was born on February 17, 1993, in Placentia, California. Carly is the youngest sibling. Both sons pursued professional baseball careers in Major League Baseball, following in their father's footsteps. Due to Chris Cron's extensive traveling as a player and manager in the , the family frequently relocated, eventually settling in the Phoenix area of to support his career with various organizations, including the Arizona Diamondbacks. During summers, C.J. and often joined their father at stops, spending time in team towns while Linda managed the household with the children. The family maintains a residence in the Scottsdale area.

Extended family connections

Chris Cron's cousin, , is a former who appeared in 501 games across 11 seasons from 2000 to 2010, primarily with the Arizona Diamondbacks, Milwaukee Brewers, and New York Yankees. Moeller, drafted by the Twins in 1996, shared a close family bond with Cron, having grown up together in a household steeped in traditions that emphasized resilience and dedication to the sport. The Cron-Moeller family connection has fostered a shared passion for among its members.

References

  1. https://www.mlb.com/player/chris-cron-112849
  2. https://www.espn.com/mlb/player/_/id/2568/chris-cron
  3. http://www.greatest21days.com/2011/02/chris-cron-eating-and-sleeping-498.html
  4. https://www.milb.com/news/chris-cron-named-aces-fourth-manager-in-franchise-history-302461570
  5. https://www.statscrew.com/minorbaseball/stats/c-4289b6c8
  6. https://www.rgj.com/story/sports/2019/04/02/reno-aces-game-crons-baseball-coming/3294536002/
  7. https://www.milb.com/pioneer/history/award-winners
  8. https://www.athleticsnation.com/2022/1/18/22889088/oakland-as-coaching-staff-chris-cron-assistant-hitting-cj-kevin
  9. https://www.mlb.com/news/athletics-coaching-staff-2026
  10. https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/c/cronch01.shtml
  11. https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1995-08-23-sp-37965-story.html
  12. https://www.ocregister.com/2022/06/29/former-orange-county-high-school-baseball-players-on-mlb-40-man-rosters/
  13. https://www.baseball-reference.com/bullpen/Chris_Cron
  14. https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=cron--001chr
  15. https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1993-06-07-sp-465-story.html
  16. https://www.baseball-almanac.com/players/trades.php?p=cronch01
  17. https://www.baltimoresun.com/1992/09/18/baseballchicago-white-sox-purchased-the-contract-5/
  18. https://www.baltimoresun.com/1991/08/08/baseballamerican-league-california-angels-released-mike-2/
  19. https://www.startribune.com/c-j-cron-s-baseball-family-pedigree-helping-him-fit-in-nicely/511334262
  20. https://www.statscrew.com/minorbaseball/roster/t-bs10590/y-1995
  21. https://www.statscrew.com/minorbaseball/stats/t-hc12024/y-1996
  22. https://www.statscrew.com/minorbaseball/roster/t-hc12024/y-1997
  23. https://www.baseball-reference.com/bullpen/Hickory_Crawdads
  24. https://www.baseball-reference.com/bullpen/Winston-Salem_Warthogs
  25. https://www.statscrew.com/minorbaseball/roster/t-bb10456/y-1999
  26. https://www.milb.com/player/chris-cron-112849
  27. https://www.milb.com/erie/team/manager-history
  28. https://www.thecorryjournal.com/sports/article_e2fcead2-7c65-11e3-8043-001a4bcf887a.html
  29. https://www.milb.com/news/gcs-51715780
  30. https://www.milb.com/news/calling-your-son-the-kevin-chris-cron-story-307540078
  31. https://www.milb.com/news/manager-chris-cron-talks-about-year-two-in-the-biggest-little-city-312474014
  32. https://www.carsonnow.org/08/12/2020/aces-skipper-cron-helm-dbacks-minor-leagues-camp
  33. https://www.azsnakepit.com/2021/2/3/22262547/d-backs-announce-2021-player-development-staff
  34. https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/3071284/2022/01/14/as-add-brad-ausmus-tommy-everidge-and-chris-cron-to-mark-kotsays-coaching-staff/
  35. https://www.mlb.com/news/a-s-announce-2022-coaching-staff
  36. https://www.mlb.com/press-release/press-release-a-s-announce-major-league-coaching-staff-for-2024
  37. https://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/article/nick-kurtzs-historic-4-hr-barrage-is-latest-proof-that-the-big-amish-is-slugging-his-way-into-al-rookie-of-the-year-race-220255810.html
  38. https://gofrogs.com/sports/baseball/roster/kevin-cron/120
  39. https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/c/croncj01.shtml
  40. https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/c/cronke01.shtml
  41. https://www.mlb.com/news/chris-cron-raised-two-pros-c-j-and-kevin
  42. https://www.mlb.com/news/baseball-is-a-family-affair-for-angels-cj-cron/c-96607700
  43. https://www.ahwatukee.com/sports/siblings-c-j-and-kevin-cron-are-both-expected-to-go-high-in-major-league/article_5d5946cc-8e48-11e0-9e5d-001cc4c03286.html
  44. https://www.truepeoplesearch.com/find/person/pnl48448n2ur98nu2n4
  45. https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/m/moellch01.shtml
  46. https://chadmoellerbaseball.com/the-cron-boys/
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