| Christian Colón | |
|---|---|
 Colón with theOmaha Storm Chasers in 2014 | |
| Kansas City Monarchs | |
| Infielder /Coach | |
| Born: (1989-05-14)May 14, 1989 (age 36) Cayey, Puerto Rico | |
Batted: Right Threw: Right | |
| MLB debut | |
| July 1, 2014, for the Kansas City Royals | |
| Last MLB appearance | |
| August 12, 2020, for the Cincinnati Reds | |
| MLB statistics | |
| Batting average | .249 |
| Home runs | 1 |
| Runs batted in | 28 |
Stats atBaseball Reference  | |
| Teams | |
| Career highlights and awards | |
Christian Anthony Colón (born May 14, 1989) is a Puerto Rican former professionalbaseballinfielder who currently serves as the hitting coordinator and third basecoach for theKansas City Monarchs of theAmerican Association of Professional Baseball. He played inMajor League Baseball (MLB) for theKansas City Royals,Miami Marlins, andCincinnati Reds.
Colón attendedMidway High School inWaco, Texas, as a freshman,[1][2] andTaylorsville High School inTaylorsville, Utah, for his sophomore season, before his family moved to California.[3] He then attendedCanyon High School inAnaheim, California.[4] Colón was drafted in the tenth round of the2007 MLB Draft by theSan Diego Padres.[5] He chose instead to attendCalifornia State University, Fullerton, where he playedcollege baseball for theCal State Fullerton Titans baseball team.
With the Titans, Colón was anAll-American shortstop. He was then selected with the fourth overall pick of the2010 MLB Draft by the Kansas City Royals.[6] Colón was added to the 40-man roster on November 20, 2013, in order to be protected from theRule 5 draft.[7]
Colón batted .296 for theOmaha Storm Chasers of theTriple–APacific Coast League in 2014, before he was promoted to the major leagues on June 30.[8] He made 21 appearances for the Royals during his rookie campaign, batting .333/.375/.489 with six RBI and two stolen bases.[9] After entering the2014 American League Wild Card Game as a pinch hitter, Colón knocked in the tying run on an infield single and scored the winning run on a single bySalvador Pérez.[10]
Colón served as autility player during the 2015 season, ultimately making 43 appearances for the team, in which he hit .290/.356/.336 with six RBI and three stolen bases.[11] He entered Game 5 of the2015 World Series (his first appearance in the playoffs) in the top of the 12th as apinch hitter. After not making a plate appearance for four weeks, Colón hit a single to scoreJarrod Dyson for the winning run to clinch the World Series, marking the first time in history that a player in his first at-bat in a World Series delivered the Series-winning run.[12]
Colón made 54 appearances for Kansas City during the 2016 season, slashing .231/.294/.293 with one home run and 13 RBI.[13] In 2017,Raúl A. Mondesí won the Royals' startingsecond baseman position, and Colón competed withWhit Merrifield for a role on theOpening Day roster. The Royals included Colón on the Opening Day roster,[14] butdesignated him for assignment on May 10.[15] In seven games for the team, Colón had gone 3-for-17 (.176) with one walk.[16]
On May 16, 2017, theMiami Marlins claimed Colón off ofwaivers.[17] He was designated for assignment by the team on June 23.[18] Colón spent the remainder of the season with the Triple–ANew Orleans Baby Cakes, playing in 49 games and batting .302/.379/.376 with one home run, 13 RBI, and six stolen bases. He elected free agency following the season on November 6.[19]
On December 6, 2017, Colón signed a minor league deal with theAtlanta Braves. He was released on May 9, 2018.
On May 18, 2018, Colón signed a minor league contract with theNew York Mets. In 82 games for the Triple–ALas Vegas 51s, he hit .304/.396/.459 with 6 home runs, 38 RBI, and 11 stolen bases. Colón elected free agency following the season on November 2.[20]
On December 4, 2018, Colón signed a minor league contract with theCincinnati Reds. On September 16, 2019, the Reds selected Colón's contract, adding him to their active roster. In eight games, he went 3–for–6 (.500) with one RBI. Colón was removed from the 40–man roster and sent outright to the Triple–ALouisville Bats on November 4, after which he subsequently elected free agency.[21]
On November 18, 2019, Colón re-signed with the Reds organization on a new minor league contract.[22] On July 24, 2020, Colón had his contract selected to the 40–man roster. On August 14, Colón was designated for assignment. On August 17, Colón cleared waivers and was outrighted to the Reds alternate training site.
On February 10, 2021, Colón signed with theKansas City Monarchs of theAmerican Association of Professional Baseball.[23]
On April 24, 2021, Colón signed a minor league contract with theToronto Blue Jays organization.[24][25]
On December 5, 2021, Colón announced his retirement from professional baseball.[26]
On January 4, 2022, Colón was hired to serve as the assistant hitting coach for theNorthwest Arkansas Naturals, the Double-A affiliate of his former team, theKansas City Royals.[27]
On January 23, 2024, Colón was hired by theSeattle Mariners to serve as the manager for their Double–A affiliate, theArkansas Travelers.[28] Mike Fransoso replaced him as Arkansas manager in August 2024. The Mariners did not give a reason for the change.
On February 4, 2025, Colón was hired as the hitting coordinator and third base coach for theKansas City Monarchs of theAmerican Association of Professional Baseball.[29]
Colón and his wife, Kayla, have 3 daughters.[30]
· Baseball Almanac