The Blue Jays have signed veteran infielder Christian Colon, per an announcement from the Kansas City Monarchs of the independent American Association — the team for which Colon had been slated to begin his 2021 season. Presumably, it’s a minor league pact for Colon, giving the Jays some additional infield depth with the expected start of the Triple-A season looming in early May.
“We as an organization are extremely happy that Christian Colon is getting this opportunity with the Toronto Blue Jays,” said Monarchs manager Joe Calfapietra in a statement announcing the news. “We are very excited for the possibilities of Christian playing again in Kansas City but even more excited that he is getting this chance. We all wish him the very best.”
Now 31 years old (32 in May), Colon was the No. 4 overall pick in the 2010 draft and a member of the Royals’ 2014-15 World Series rosters. Colon had only one at-bat during that victorious 2015 World Series, but to call it a big one would be an understatement; he delivered a pinch-hit, go-ahead single during the 12th inning of the decisive Game 5.
Overall, Colon’s time with the Royals didn’t align with the expectations that naturally come with such a lofty draft status. He spent parts of four years in the Majors with Kansas City, batting .269/.323/.329 in 348 plate appearances while playing multiple infield positions. He’s since bounced to the Marlins, Braves, Mets and Reds organizations, though of that quartet, he only appeared in the big leagues with Miami and Cincinnati. Most recently, he appeared in 19 games for the Reds from 2019-20, going 6-for-29 with a double, a stolen base, a walk and three strikeouts.
Colon is a career .249/.312/.310 hitter in 418 Major League plate appearances and a .292/.361/.408 batter in parts of eight seasons at the Triple-A level (2415 plate appearances). He’s spent the bulk of his career in the middle infield, with more than 3000 pro innings at both shortstop and second base. Colon also has more than 1600 innings of work at third base under his belt in addition to a handful of appearances at first base and in left field.
as cool as the T-Bones moniker was, Monarchs is a nice nod. (and honestly I’d argue that was the best Negro Leagues team name)
32? Time flys.
I’ve heard of having a Christian Heart, but I don’t even know what a Christian Colon means.
Well, I’ve seen a few televangelists who were like a Colon in that they were full of . . . .
I hear Christian is a great teammate. So definitely not a colon cancer in the locker room.
Had to get out my Colon-o-scope to find that he had a pretty big hand in the Royals playoff run in 2014 too, with an infield hit in the bottom of the 12th inning of the Wild Card game to score the tying run. He would come around to score the winning run. And yet the Royals can’t give this guy some run in their minors to keep him playing if that’s what he wants to do? He should be treated like royalty for them but instead they choose to cleanse themselves of his memory? Boo to his Colon cleansing.
Come to think of it, this guy has a thing for the 12th inning of playoff games that eliminate the opponent, doesn’t he? That’s quite the niche job to have has a bench bat but when the need arises, a team will be plenty glad to have him.
And that is why I never was angry the Royals passed on Chris Sale to draft Colon.
Yes. Sale might’ve only helped KC to 3 World Series rings instead of the one.
Little Sexy
Thanks for letting us know.
Very important to have a healthy colon.
Now sign Bartolo Colón!!!