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SALT LAKE CITY — C.J. Cron said his dad still holds bragging rights when it comes to being a professional baseball player.
"He got to the big leagues, so when I have some big league experience, then we can have that talk," the University of Utah slugger said via phone Wednesday from Arizona.
There could be plenty to discuss in a family where baseball roots run deep.
C.J. was drafted 17th overall Monday by the Los Angeles Angels, and brother Kevin was taken Tuesday by Seattle in the third round with the 92nd pick.
Both are following in the footsteps of their father, Chris, who was chosen in the 1984 amateur draft and made his major league debut with the California Angels in 1991. He has been a minor league manager since 1995, first with the Chicago White Sox organization and most recently as manager of Detroit's Class AA club.
Utah coach Bill Kinneberg said C.J. is one of the best players he's ever coached.
"Chris, as they say, had a cup of coffee in the big leagues," Kinneberg said of Chris Cron, who spent only parts of two seasons in the majors. "C.J. has got all the makings to make it big."
Cron is a two-time first-team All-American and two-time Mountain West Conference Player of the Year.
He set a Utah career record with a .396 batting average, and can play first base and catcher.
In his recently completed junior season, he was a semifinalist for both the Golden Spikes Award and Dick Howser Trophy while leading the nation in slugging percentage (.803). He ranked second nationally in doubles per game (0.53), third in batting average (.434), sixth in doubles (26), sixth in total bases (159) and ninth in on-base percentage (.517).
Last year he led the NCAA in RBIs per game (1.65) while ranking fifth nationally in slugging percentage (.817) and eighth in home runs per game (0.41). He was a Freshman All-American in 2009, and he was the only player in the country that year to get three hits in a game off 2009 No. 1 MLB draft pick Stephen Strasburg.
C.J. admits having a father to show him around paved the way.
He was a toddler when his dad played for the Angels, but most of his memories come from the White Sox organization.
"Ever since I could walk, I'd be around him and the guys," C.J. said. "I think it helped a lot. It gave me that baseball instinct."
His fondest memories are of hanging out with third baseman Joe Crede, a member of the 2005 World Series champion White Sox.
"He'd always take me under his wing, take me out to dinner or toss batting practice," C.J. said.
He believes scouts were as impressed with Cron's family history as his slugging percentage.
"Scouts liked that I had the bloodlines and knew what it took to get through it," C.J. said, referring to what often can be a long road to the majors. "It definitely is a grind, what with eight-hour bus rides every three days. I know what it will be like. That will definitely be an advantage for me."
C.J. expects to learn within the week where he'll be assigned, whether it's rookie ball in Orem, Utah, with the Owlz, or with the Angels' Class A team in either Cedar Rapids, Iowa, or Rancho Cucamonga, Calif.
Of course, the Salt Lake Bees are the Angels' Class AAA affiliate.
There's a good chance he'll be back in Utah this fall during a six-month rehabilitation process from right shoulder surgery. He already has registered for the fall semester at Utah, where he is two semesters short of earning a degree.
Brother Kevin, meanwhile, has a decision to make since he was drafted out of high school. Kevin, three years younger than C.J., can sign with the Mariners or attend TCU and play baseball there. He must decide by Aug, 15.
C.J. expects both to have success no matter where they head next.
"In high school, he (Kevin) was much better than I was," C.J. said. "I hope he will continue that in college if that's the route he chooses."
If Kevin decides to turn pro, he and C.J. will be playing for rival AL West organizations — a fact neither has given much thought.
This week was all about celebrating together in Arizona, where Kevin attended high school and C.J. used to train.
They gathered Monday at a training facility with 150 family members and friends to hear C.J.'s name called on TV, then watched with a smaller group Tuesday when the major league draft was streamed live on a computer.
"It was a great couple of days," C.J. said.
(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
