Robinson Cano Stats & Scouting Report

AB	327
AVG	.431
OBP	.475
SLG	.639
HR	14

Full name Robinson Jose Canó
Born 10/22/1982 in San Pedro De Macoris, Dominican Republic
Profile Ht.: 6'0" / Wt.: 212 / Bats: L / Throws: R
School San Pedro Apostol
Debut 05/03/2005

Top Rankings

Organization Prospect Rankings

Cano's name was tossed around in trade rumors when the Yankees unsuccessfully tried to acquire Randy Johnson at the July 31 deadline, but he was not part of the deal when New York finally got Johnson over the winter. A confident player, Cano plays as if he belongs in the majors. His father Jose pitched briefly in the big leagues. Cano's arm is his best tool and rates as a 65 on the 20-80 scouting scale. More important, he can hit. He has good bat speed and a fluid swing, allowing him to catch up to good fastballs. His improving plate discipline helped his power numbers increase; he set career highs in walks and slugging in 2004. Cano hasn't handled lefthanders well, with just seven extra base hits in 130 at-bats against southpaws above Class A. He's a below-average runner for an infielder, and his lower half figures to get thicker as he gets older. He has solid infield actions and the Yankees refute reports that he has below-average range. Cano could be a bench option in New York for 2005, but he'll likely head back to Columbus for a full season in Triple-A after the Yankees signed free agent Tony Womack.
The Yankees' willingness to move prospects quickly under former player personnel chief Gordon Blakeley is illustrated by Cano's progress in 2003. His father Jose reached the majors briefly in 1989. One of the most confident hitters in the system, Cano can sting hard line drives to right field with an easy, level swing. He's capable of producing more power than he did last year because he has plus bat speed and natural strength, but he needs to learn to lift the ball. As Cano has filled out, especially in his lower half, he has lost his quickness. He doesn't get down the line well and on defense, his range is lacking at second base, which could prompt a move to third. Cano has the arm strength and projects to hit for enough power to justify a move to the hot corner. For now he'll remain at second base and return to Double-A.
Cano's father Jose signed with the Yankees in 1980 and reached the big leagues with the Astros in 1989. Robinson played baseball and basketball at his Dominican high school, and from the first time he worked out for the Yankees has shown an advanced approach. Like Bronson Sardinha, he went to Staten Island after opening the 2002 season at Class A Greensboro. Cano's bat is his greatest strength. He generates plus bat speed and has a knack for making adjustments with his hands to put the barrel of the bat on balls in different zones. He covers the plate well with a good idea of the strike zone, makes consistent hard contact and projects to hit for power. Defensively, Cano offers versatility, though he'll likely end up at second or third base or even right field with Ferdin Tejada and Joaquin Arias in the system. Cano has the actions, above-average arm and quick hands to play shortstop, and most of his errors were due to inexperience. He's a below-average runner. Cano finished third in the system in RBIs and should make the jump to high Class A in 2003.

Minor League Top Prospects

Cano's tools grade out as well as the top position players on this list, yet uncertainty in respect to his future position in the big leagues makes him somewhat of an enigma. He plays second base with smooth, natural, flowing actions and has a well-above average arm. Yet his range is average at best, as he is not fleet-footed. He has a rapid, level swing with quick hands and peppers both gaps with line drives. His tool set seems best suited for third base, except some scouts question his power potential. His present power is almost exclusively to right field, though he is learning to add loft to his stroke. He improved his approach this year, cutting down on his strikeouts and displaying better plate discipline. "He's got some total game about him and an air and demeanor, something different about him, his action on the fields sets him apart from the other guys," Beasley said. "You look at his body and you say he's a third baseman, but I don't know if it always comes off his bat like he's a third baseman," an American League area scout said.
The Yankees don't often give opportunities to their own prospects, but Cano is one of their system's best hitters and Miguel Cairo isn't exactly an all-star. Cano surpassed catcher Dioner Navarro as New York's top position prospect in the upper minors and could make an impact in the majors as early as next season. Cano has outstanding hand-eye coordination and a level, easy swing. The ball jumps off his bat. His power and patience are developing, and he should produce more offense than the typical second baseman. Whether Cano stays at second base is another question, however. He has below-average range and doesn't show the agility to turn double plays well. If he has to move to third base, he has enough arm strength.
The SAL's all-star shortstop in 2002, Cano moved to second base full-time this year. Managers rated him the FSL's best defender at his new position, as he showed a strong arm and more consistency. Offensively, Cano is a contact hitter who controls the bat well and sprays line drives. He should drive pitches better as he matures physically, but he'll never be a big home run threat. He needs to concentrate on drawing more walks and keeping his focus late in games.
Cano didn't make much noise in his 2001 GCL debut by hitting .230-3-34, but he was turning heads last spring in Tampa. He moved from third base to the middle infield and started the season in the Sally League alongside Sardinha. Some NY-P managers accused Yankees owner George Steinbrenner of stacking Staten Island for the championship run, and Cano was sent to short-season ball despite hitting .276-14-66 in low Class A. "He can really do some things," Shelton said. "He has the unique ability to adjust his hands very well and hit balls in different zones. He has a great feel for the barrel of the bat." After splitting time between second base and shortstop at Greensboro, he played almost exclusively at second with Staten Island. Cano has a strong arm and solid infield actions that should land him at second or third base down the road.