Yankees 2B Robinson Cano has been credited with having a very productive season-currently on pace for 28 HR, 99 RBI, 108 R, 200 hits, and a .300 batting average.
The problem, however, is that many fans are overlooking the stark differences in Cano's performance in the heart of a clutch situation.
Time and time again, the talented young slugger will roll over an outside pitch-resulting in a double play or feeble groundout.
The biggest moments seem to paralyze Cano.
He is always one of the first players out of the dugout to hug Melky Cabrera after a thrilling last-second victory, but is never the Yankee wielding a bat when those moments manifest themselves.
Cano has dethroned Alex Rodriguez as the "King of the Meaningless RBI," as he consistently piles up statistics in games often confused with football scores.
In Yankee victories, Cano is hitting a robust .377 with 23 extra base hits and 39 runs scored. In losses, he has hit just .219 with 6 extra base hits, a .246 OBP, and scored 7 runs.
Though these numbers are alarming and thought-provoking, they do not tell the entire story-as perhaps Cano has been a major catalyst in important, nail-biting victories.
Unfortunately, the numbers agree with the always important "eye test" that this is not the case.
With two outs and runners in scoring position, Cano is hitting just .212-unable to drive in virtually any of the back-breaking runs that help to grind out close games.
To further emphasize Cano's inability to rise to the occasion, he hits .384 with no outs in an inning, and a startling .391 when the Yankees lead or trail by four or more runs.
Twenty-five percent of his home runs and runs batted in have been generated in these "blowout games."
When removing these meaningless hits, Cano becomes nothing short of ordinary. He would be just a .288 hitter with a .324 OBP-on pace for 21 HR and 74 RBI.
Many hitters would have similar drop-offs in power numbers when removing blowout victories from their stat lines-and it is unfair to do so-but it is important to show the impact on Cano's batting average and on-base percentage.
Cano has also failed miserably in key American League East matchups. After excluding games against the hapless Orioles, Cano is batting .228 (18-for-79) against divisional opponents.
Games against Boston, Tampa Bay, and Toronto often determine the Yankees playoff fate-as they face these three teams a combined 54 times.
Largely responsible for protecting A-Rod for the majority of the season, Cano has had a bevy of important RBI opportunities.
The successes of Johnny Damon and Mark Teixeira-coupled with the recent failures of A-Rod-have placed key at bats with RISP in the hands of Cano. If he was able to come through at higher rates, the Yankees would be able to capture a few more of the recent closer and heart-breaking losses.
Cano is playing just his fifth Major league season, and has plenty of time to evolve into a dangerous middle of the order hitter. However, it appears as though he might not be ready to carry that torch at this stage of his career.
Although Cano carries himself as a cool, smooth, laid back performer without a care in the world, he needs to find a way to remove the lump from his throat in game-changing situations.
The Yankees need you, and it is time to elevate your game and progression to the next level.
Also seen at: Heartbeat of the Bronx
Cintia Dicker
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Excellent article, Heartbeat. You nailed it right on the head about Cano. Whata you know?
broblog
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Cano is still young enough that he can overcome that, lets hope he does it. We don't need a team full of choke artists like the Mets.
Yankeemandan
Total Comments (145)
Good post, can you say Alfonso Soriano, 2009 version? I attended the Yanks/Marlins games this weekend, getting there early enough for batting practice and having to sit through the endless replaying of the 2003 series highlights. Makes you wonder what this team would be like today if only Soriano had hit anything in the playoffs & series and if Aaron Boone had not completely disappeared in the World Series, then get hurt in the offseason. Would the club been as fast to pull the trigger on Arod if they had won, not lost that series?
Hitman23
Total Comments (45)
The Yankees are a complete waste of time in my life... their struggles start at the top. Until the Brothers finally let go of their good buddy, Cashman, this team is going nowhere. Nobody in that organization holds anyone else accountable anymore. Nothing Cashman pulls off seems to work... and he doesn't deserve any credit for being able to sign guys like CC, AJ and Tex when all he's doing is signing off on a HUGE check from the Steinbrennar piggy bank. There is no skill is simply giving the world's largest pay stubs to the big name FA players. A 5-year old can do that job. Hank is supposed to be like his Dad? Is that a joke? Seriously, that guy is without a clue. Girardi has no idea what to do... he's intimidated by his players and they know it. He's needs to run a young, developing team (aka Rays-like team). All my life I've loved the Yankees, my Dad knew Joe McCarthy and our family was destined to love the Yankees from that time forward. However, as much as it pains me to say it... this team is so flat and boring. I actually find myself switching over to NESN to watch our rivals destroy one opponent after another. Those guys (Youk, Lowell, Bay, Pedroia) have this game figured out. And they didn't need the crazy money to motivate them into playing like the games actually mean something. Cashman needs to go... he and his scouting department have run this franchise directly into the ground. If they didn't have all these ridiculously overpaid players, they wouldn't be able to break .500 and they'd be a joke alongside teams like the Pirates. Ever wonder why these young pitchers with 5.00+ ERAs make them look so bad? Piss-poor advance scouting!
They need to show some nutz and move Jeter (aka DP machine) down in the lineup, he's past his prime. Cano needs to hit in front of Tex and A-Rod (not behind them). That way the opponents have to pitch to him, not around him... which is how he gets himself out in clutch situations. Most teams protect their young hitters... the Yankees protect their aging vets (Jeter and others). Jeter would better serve the team in the 6th or 7th spot in the lineup. It will never happen, though... because he's treated like he's above the team, not part of it.
djc1877
Melbourne , FL
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