He's young, athletic, has a cannon for an arm and makes the game look easy. He has one of the sweetest-looking swings in the game and is as sure-handed a defender as they come.
It's time to show Robinson Cano some love.
For the past several years, Cano has been cementing himself as one of the elite second basemen in the league. Cano sports a lifetime .309/.347/.489 slash line in six seasons in the major leagues.
Although a .347 OBP may seem a bit low, he has been working diligently over the past few seasons on getting on base at a steadier rate. Last season is proof, as he walked a career-high 57 times and also compiled a .381 OBP.
Cano's power has really started to develop over the past two years. He hit 25 home runs in 2009 and 29 home runs in 2010. Cano also reached the 200-hit plateau the past two seasons, with 200 and 204 hits, respectively. He has also scored 103 runs in each of the past two years while hitting over 40 doubles as well.
When Cano is in a groove, there isn't a pitcher in the league who can get him out.
Although receiving comparisons to the great Rod Carew for his outstanding hitting ability, Cano is also a well above average fielder. Cano won his first Gold Glove Award last season, making just three errors in 1,393.1 innings in the field. This equated to an incredible .996 fielding percentage.
Just like teammate Derek Jeter, Robinson Cano is beginning to develop his own trademark defensive play. Cano routinely goes to his right, scoops up the ground ball backhanded and, while on the run, fires a strike, across his body no less, to the first baseman to get the out.
This play shows off his tremendous arm strength and was a huge reason why Cano took home the Gold Glove this past season.
Cano receives competition from Chase Utley, Dustin Pedroia and even Dan Uggla as the top second basemen in the league. Each player has his strengths and weaknesses.
Utley has massive amounts of power, and his short, compact swing helps him to handle the inside pitch. However, he is an average defender at best and has a difficult time staying healthy.
Pedroia, despite winning the MVP award, really isn't a very productive player. Sure, he'll hit around .300, but he'll hit maybe 15 home runs and knock in somewhere around 80 runs.
Uggla has just as much power as Utley, if not more. His power is very valuable, but his batting average and defensive skills aren't. He sports a career .263 average and a .980 career fielding percentage.
With all that being said, I'd rather have Pedroia over the other two. Yet Cano is still my top choice at second base. With another solid season in 2011, he could really solidify himself at the top.
He'll encounter competition from the other three and even others like Brian Roberts and Ian Kinsler. The competition is good for the sport and good for the players.
A little motivation to be the best never hurt anyone.
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