Some perspective on Cano’s offensive numbers

By Gary Hill

Robinson Cano and the Mariners zipped past the quarter pole of the 2014 season earlier this week. The first 45 games for Cano in an M’s uniform have seen him lead the squad in several offensive categories including hits, runs, doubles, RBIs, stolen bases and batting average.

In fact, isolating oWAR (wins above replacement that only takes offensive numbers into account and ignoring defense altogether) with the help of BaseballReference.com indicates he has been Seattle’s most productive hitter by a strong margin.

Robinson Cano, 1.6
Kyle Seager, 1.0
James Jones, 0.7
Mike Zunino, 0.6
Dustin Ackley, 0.4
Justin Smoak, 0.4
Michael Saunders, 0.3
Corey Hart, 0.2

Cano’s power numbers have generated a good deal of chatter early in the season, but look what happens when his numbers are extended. The term “on pace” can sometimes be a dangerous one when analyzing numbers, but it is useful in this case as an instrument to reveal what Cano has accomplished so far this season.

At this moment Cano is on pace to hit .326 with seven home runs, 97 RBIs, 40 doubles, 11 stolen bases with 209 hits. If those exact numbers were plugged into the 2013 season, Cano would have finished second in batting average, ninth in RBIs, sixth in doubles and first in hits in the American League. He also would have been 20th in OPS despite just two homers so far.

For those concerned about homers, Cano whacked a career-high 33 in 2012. Going into the game on this date in 2012 he had four homers to his name. He blasted four more to end May and then followed with 11 in June. Cano is not a stranger to bunching long balls. He’s gone deep seven times or more in a month nine times in his career.

Robinson Cano has been excellent offensively this season, but history suggest his numbers will sparkle even brighter as the Mariners maneuver through the season. Let’s plan on meeting back here at the halfway point to check.