Robinson Cano, Second Base


Date of Birth: 10/22/1982
Birthplace: San Pedro de Macoris, Dominican Republic

Robinson Cano, second baseman, first signed with the New York Yankees in 2001 and he made his first appearance for them in 2005. Since that time, he has won eight major awards: five Silver Slugger awards (2006, 2010-2013), two Gold Gloves (2010, 2012), and the 2013 World Baseball Classic's MVP award.

After a strong 2013 season, in which he batted .314 with 190 hits, 41 doubles, 27 home runs, and 107 RBIs, Cano became a free agent. In December, 2013, Cano signed a 10-year, $240 million contract with the Seattle Mariners. He earned his salary in 2014, finishing with 187 hits, 37 doubles, 14 home runs, 82 RBIs, and a .314 batting average in 157 games.

Cano had a career low batting average of .287 in 2015. He finished the season with 179 hits, 34 doubles, 21 home runs, and 79 RBIs in 156 games. Defensively, as the Mariners' second baseman, he made 403 assists, 104 double plays, 287 putouts, and 6 errors in 149 games. He had a .991 fielding percentage.

Cano had a better year in 2016, finishing with a .298 batting average. In 161 games, he had 195 hits, 33 doubles, a career high 39 home runs, and 103 RBIs. Defensively, at second base, he made 429 assists, 123 double plays, 311 putouts, and 3 errors in 157 games. He had a .996 fielding percentage.

In 2017, Cano batted .280 with 166 hits, 33 doubles, 23 home runs, 97 RBIs, and 85 strikeouts to 49 walks in 150 games. Defensively, as the Mariners' second baseman in 150 games, he made 339 assists, 97 double plays, 254 putouts, and 10 errors. He had a .983 fielding percentage.

In 2018, Cano received an 80-game suspension for the use of PEDs. He finished the season with 94 hits, 22 doubles, 50 RBIs, and a .303 batting average in 80 games.

Cano was traded to the New York Mets on December 3, 2018. He spent time on the DL in 2019, first with a left quad strain and later in the season with a left hamstring strain. He struggled during his time with the Mets, batting just .256 in 107 games. He had 100 hits, 28 doubles, 13 home runs, 39 RBIs, and 69 strikeouts to 25 walks. Defensively, as the Mets' second baseman in 99 games, he made 189 assists, 51 double plays, 164 putouts, and 5 errors, and he had a .986 fielding percentage.

Cano played in 49 games in 2020. He finished the season with 54 hits, 9 doubles, 10 home runs, 30 RBIs, 24 strikeouts to 9 walks, and a .316 batting average. Defensively, he played 34 games at second base, and he was the Mets' DH in 13 games.

Cano was suspended for the entire 2021 season on November 19, 2020, for testing positive for a banned substance.

After a poor showing in Spring training, the Mets released Cano on May 8, 2022. Five days later, on May 13th, he signed with the San Diego Padres. He was traded to the Atlanta Braves on July 10th. He elected free agency on August 4th.

Statistics for Cano in his sixteen seasons (2005-2020) in the major leagues include:

  • 13 seasons with over 150 hits, with a high of 204 in 2009
  • 10 seasons with a batting average over .300, with a high of .342 in 2006
  • 13 seasons with over 30 doubles, with a high of 48 in both 2009 and 2012
  • 8 seasons with over 20 home runs, with a high of 39 in 2016
  • 4 seasons with over 100 RBIs, with a high of 118 in 2011

Career batting statistics for Cano through 2020 include:

  • 2,234 games played
  • 2,624 hits
  • 571 doubles
  • 334 home runs
  • 1,302 RBIs
  • 1,189 strikeouts to 616 walks
  • .303 batting average

Career fielding statistics for Cano at second base through 2020 include:

  • 2,158 games played
  • 5,833 assists
  • 1,409 double plays
  • 4,040 putouts
  • 124 errors
  • .988 fielding percentage

Charitable Work

Cano has aided the Hackensack University Medical Center in New Jersey and they named a pediatric rehabitalitation ward the Robinson Cano Physical and Occupational Therapy Suite.

Personal Life

Cano's father Jose was a pitcher with the Houston Astros in 1989.

Cano became a US citizen on November 13, 2012.

Sources for Information
Wikipedia - Robinson Cano
ESPN Sports - Robinson Cano