| Christian Colón | |
| Position: | Infielder |
| Birth Date: | 14 May 1989 |
| Birth Place: | Cayey, Puerto Rico |
| Bats: | Right |
| Throws: | Right |
| Debutleague: | MLB |
| Debutdate: | July 1 |
| Debutyear: | 2014 |
| Debutteam: | Kansas City Royals |
| Finalleague: | MLB |
| Finaldate: | August 12 |
| Finalyear: | 2020 |
| Finalteam: | Cincinnati Reds |
| Statleague: | MLB |
| Stat1label: | Batting average |
| Stat1value: | .249 |
| Stat3label: | Home runs |
| Stat3value: | 1 |
| Stat4label: | Runs batted in |
| Stat4value: | 28 |
| Teams: | |
| Awards: |
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Christian Anthony Colón (born May 14, 1989) is a Puerto Rican former professional baseball infielder. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Kansas City Royals, Miami Marlins, and Cincinnati Reds.
Colón attended Midway High School in Waco, Texas, as a freshman,[1] [2] and Taylorsville High School in Taylorsville, Utah, for his sophomore season, before his family moved to California.[3] He then attended Canyon High School in Anaheim, California.[4] Colón was drafted in the tenth round of the 2007 MLB Draft by the San Diego Padres.[5] He chose instead to attend California State University, Fullerton, where he played college baseball for the Cal State Fullerton Titans baseball team.
With the Titans, Colón was an All-American shortstop. He was then selected with the fourth overall pick of the 2010 MLB Draft by the Kansas City Royals.[6] Colón was added to the 40-man roster on November 20, 2013.[7]
Colón batted .296 for the Omaha Storm Chasers of the Triple–A Pacific Coast League in 2014, before he was promoted to the major leagues on June 30.[8] After entering the 2014 American League Wild Card Game as a pinch hitter, he knocked in the tying run on an infield single and scored the winning run on a single by Salvador Pérez.[9]
Colón served as a utility player during the 2015 season. He entered Game 5 of the 2015 World Series (his first appearance in the playoffs) in the top of the 12th as a pinch hitter. After not making a plate appearance for four weeks, he hit a single to score Jarrod 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.[10]
In 2017, Raúl A. Mondesí won the Royals' starting second baseman position, and Colón competed with Whit Merrifield for a role on the Opening Day roster. The Royals included Colón on the Opening Day roster,[11] but designated him for assignment on May 10.[12]
On May 16, 2017, the Miami Marlins claimed Colón off of waivers.[13] He was designated for assignment by the team on June 23.[14] Colón spent the remainder of the season with the Triple–A New 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.[15]
On December 6, 2017, Colón signed a minor league deal with the Atlanta Braves. He was released on May 9, 2018.
On May 18, 2018, Colón signed a minor league contract with the New York Mets. In 82 games for the Triple–A Las 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.[16]
On December 4, 2018, Colón signed a minor league contract with the Cincinnati 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–A Louisville Bats on November 4, after which he subsequently elected free agency.[17]
On November 18, 2019, Colón re-signed with the Reds organization on a new minor league contract.[18] 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 the Kansas City Monarchs of the American Association of Professional Baseball.[19]
On April 24, 2021, Colón signed a minor league contract with the Toronto Blue Jays organization.[20] [21]
On December 5, 2021, Colón announced his retirement from professional baseball.[22]
On January 4, 2022, Colón was hired to serve as the assistant hitting coach for the Northwest Arkansas Naturals, the Double-A affiliate of his former team, the Kansas City Royals.[23]
On January 23, 2024, Colón was hired by the Seattle Mariners to serve as the manager for their Double–A affiliate, the Arkansas Travelers.[24]
Colón and his wife, Kayla, have 3 daughters.[25]