Robinson Cano: Plate Discipline Is Key For New York Yankees Second Baseman

While Robinson Cano is one of the greatest hitters in the game today and could go down as the all-time best at his position, there is one aspect of his game that holds him back from time to time, his plate discipline.

So far in 2013, Cano has walked just 19 times. Compare that to Joey Votto of the Cincinnati Reds who has taken 47 free passes. While Cano is obviously never going to compare to Votto when it comes to patience at the plate, as Votto may be as disciplined a hitter as the game has ever seen, moving more in that direction sure wouldn’t hurt.

With a New York Yankees lineup in 2013 that clearly doesn’t have as much protection for Cano as he’s accustomed too, pitchers are being more careful with him. This would seem like a good opportunity for Cano to let his on base percentage skyrocket. However, he feels the pressure to produce and expands the zone far too often.

When Cano is displaying better selection, he seems to be an almost impossible out. His outs are scalded and his swing seems to be slump proof. On the contrary, there are times when he’s consistently getting himself out by swinging at fastballs above his chest or offering at sliders and change-ups in the dirt.

The root of many of these bad habits is just how great of a hitter Cano is. The second baseman has proven to have the ability to drive all pitches, regardless of where they’re thrown. This, in turn, gives Cano almost too much confidence when he’s in the box and causes him to feel that no pitch is a bad pitch.

While this may be true, it’s evident that through out the season, his peek production is achieved when he’s playing within himself, getting ahead in the count and wait for his pitch to drive.

The nine-year Yankee second baseman, even with some of these bad habits, still puts up numbers that have never been seen before from him position. However, with an improved approach at the plate, he has the ability to be even better.

 

Matthew Cermola is a New York Yankees and MLB writer for www.Rantsports.com. Follow him on Twitter @MCermolaRantMLB and add him to your network on Google.