After the 2016 season, the Diamondbacks assigned Cron to the Salt River Rafters of the Arizona Fall League. In 2017, Cron played for the Jackson Generals of the Southern League,[14] and was named the league's most valuable player[15] after batting .283 with 25 home runs and 91 RBIs.[16] The Diamondbacks assigned Cron to the Reno Aces of the Triple–APacific Coast League in 2018 where he spent the whole season hitting .309 with 22 home runs and 97 RBIs.[17] The Diamondbacks added Cron to their 40-man roster after the 2018 season.[18] He began the 2019 season with Reno.[19]
On May 24, the Diamondbacks promoted Cron to the major leagues. At the time of his call up, Cron was leading all of the minor leagues with 21 home runs and 62 RBIs.[20] He made his debut that same day in an 18–2 win in San Francisco over the Giants. In 71 at bats he hit .211/.269/.521. He led the minor leagues in home runs in 2019, with 39, and was second in RBIs, with 107.[21]
On October 31, 2020, Cron was released by the Diamondbacks organization and his rights were sold to a team in Nippon Professional Baseball.
Hiroshima Toyo Carp
On November 16, 2020, Cron officially agreed to a one-year, $1.1 million deal with the Hiroshima Toyo Carp of Nippon Professional Baseball.[22]
In 42 games, Cron hit 6 home runs and earned 16 RBIs while striking out 47 times. He became a free agent after the season.
SSG Landers
On December 4, 2021, Cron signed a one-year, $1 million deal with the SSG Landers of the KBO League.[23] Cron played in 67 games for SSG, batting .222/.255/.420 with 11 home runs and 35 RBI. He was released on July 8, 2022.
Oakland Athletics
On November 3, 2022, Cron signed a minor league deal with the Oakland Athletics. He began the year with the Triple-A Las Vegas Aviators, playing in 10 games and hitting just .133/.152/.156 with no home runs and 6 RBI. He was released by the Athletics organization on May 1, 2023.[24]
Personal life
Cron's father, Chris Cron, was an MLB player and his brother C. J. Cron also plays in MLB.[3][10] The Crons are cousins with Chad Moeller.[2] Chris managed Kevin with Reno in 2019.[25]