Jake Cronenworth Tweaks Swing To Unlock Potential

Shortstop Jake Cronenworth hit .322 in the first half of 2016 at low Class A Bowling Green, but he stumbled to a .171 mark after an in-season promotion to high Class A Charlotte.

Then Cronenworth, a 2015 seventh-round pick from Michigan, showed something even more promising for his future by working hard during instructional league to make adjustments to his swing and approach.

Rapping hits in the Stone Crabs’ first 22 games this season served as good evidence that Cronenworth has the potential to be a special hitter.

“To me, that’s a great sign because he had a rough second half of the season,” farm director Mitch Lukevics said. “We brought him to instructional league to our hitter’s camp, and now look at where he’s at.

“I think it’s a real tribute to him, because maybe some kids can’t handle the failure that he had, but he has good intangibles. He regrouped, and he’s showing (the industry) that he’s a pretty good hitter.’’

Tacking on hits in his final three games of last season, Cronenworth’s 25-game streak ranked as third longest in Rays franchise history. Aubrey Huff holds the record for a 28-gamer in 1999 at Double-A Orlando.

The specific adjustment Cronenworth made was becoming “a little more upright and open” in his stance.

Combining that with better pitch selection and strike-zone awareness, along with a whole-field hitting approach, has all made the 23-year-old Cronenworth a better hitter, particularly against pro breaking balls.

Cronenworth, who bats lefthanded, faces questions about his future position. He played first base and pitched at Michigan, but the Rays have used him primarily at shortstop.

He saw some time at second base in 2015 and this year at third base while Matt Duffy was rehabbing with Charlotte.

— Marc Topkin covers the Rays for the Tampa Bay Times