Angels' Cron picks up run production

Class A Advanced Inland Empire's C.J. Cron relishes the run-producing role, and certainly showed it Thursday night.

The designated hitter went 3-for-4, hitting a home run and picking up four RBIs as the 66ers routed the Modesto Nuts, 12-4.

The effort tied Cron's season high for RBIs, something he's managed to do four times this year. It brought his season total to 47, which is the 14th-highest total throughout the Minor Leagues so far this season.

"I love driving in runs," said Cron. "Love producing runs for the team. Lately the guys have just been on base for me and it's worked out."

The 17th overall selection in last year's Draft out of the University of Utah came out of the gates quickly last year in his pro debut by hitting .308 with 13 home runs and a .629 slugging percentage in 34 games with Rookie-level Orem.

The Angels' No. 3 prospect has followed that up this season by averaging .297 with 10 home runs and a .500 slugging percentage in the California League. His power numbers have been steadily on the rise, after his slugging percentage hovered around .400 into the middle of May.

"I knew early in the year the power numbers were kind of down, but I just stuck with my approach, made some minor adjustments and they came back," said Cron. "That's something I don't try to do, it just happens.

"I've been seeing the ball well lately. Today I just found a lot of the barrel, hit them hard."

After batting .202 in 24 games in April, Cron proceeded to hit .351 in 29 games in May and is at .321 through six games this month.

No. 19 Angels prospect Travis Witherspoon went 3-for-5 and fell a triple short of the cycle. Los Angeles' No. 16 prospect, Randal Grichuk, also produced a three-hit effort. Witherspoon and first baseman Brian Hernandez provided a pair of RBIs apiece for the 66ers.