Cano making early case for MVP honors
In an almighty New York Yankee lineup, one that leads all of baseball in batting average, home runs and RBIs, the majority of the production is coming from an unlikely source. Through 54 games this season, Robinson Cano has hit .373 with 12 HRs and 43 RBI’s, easily in the top ten in the American League in all three categories, with his average being tops in the AL. Coming into Thursday’s victory against the Baltimore Orioles, Cano had a 16 game hitting streak which he extended to 17 games with a double in the first inning, bringing home Derek Jeter. More impressive is the defensive work Cano has put in this season, as the slick fielding second baseman has only committed one error this season on over 270 chances. Also on his resume for 2010 is the fact that Cano leads the Yankees in EVERY offensive category, sporting a very impressive 1.046 OPS, good for fourth in the league.
When Derek Jeter, Mark Teixeira and Alex Rodriguez get most of the credit for the danger that comes with the Yankee lineup, Cano has been the reason that the New York offense has been so good this season. When people talk about the best second basemen in baseball, Dustin Pedroia, Chase Utley and Brandon Phillips are usually the first names mentioned. But so far this season, Cano has easily distinguished himself as the best at his position, as he not only has produced at the plate but has been magnificent on defense. Most suprising is the power that Cano has showed early on. Hitting a career high 25 long balls in 2009, the 27 year old Dominican is easily on pace to collipse that mark with over 100 games remaining on the schedule. Although the Yankees trail the Tampa Bay Rays by 2.5 games in the East, things look bright in the Bronx. With Curtis Granderson and Jorge Posada on the way back from injury, the additions of their bats will only add protection for Cano, A-Rod, and the struggling Mark Teixeira. Traveling to Toronto to face the division rival Blue Jays, Cano looks to extend his hot streak against a team whom the Bronx Bombers have yet to play this season.
