Robinson Cano: MLB Networks Top 2nd Baseman Right Now In the MLB

Over at MLB Network they’ve named Robinson Cano the best second baseman in baseball right now. The video, linked here, runs through the top 10 second basemen for Harold Reynolds, Brian Kenny, and MLB Network’s statistical machine “the Shredder.” Here’s how each of the three rank the 2nd basemen in the MLB, from 10 to 1:

Harold Reynolds:

10. Kolten Wong

9. Omar Infante

8. Dee Gordon

7. Brian Dozier

6. Brandon Phillips

5. Howie Kendrick

4. Ian Kinsler

3. Jose Altuve

2. Dustin Pedroia

1. Robinson Cano

Brian Kenny:

10. Jason Kipnis

9. Brian Dozier

8. Howie Kendrick

7. Dustin Pedroia

6. Ian Kinsler

5. Ben Zobrist

4. Chase Utley

3. Neil Walker

2. Jose Altuve

1. Robinson Cano

The ‘Shredder’:

10. Scooter Gennett

9. Brian Dozier

8. Chase Utley

7. Howie Kendrick

6. Jose Altuve

5. Ian Kinsler

4. Neil Walker

3. Ben Zobrist

2. Dustin Pedroia

1. Robinson Cano

So it’s unanimous, across the board, that Robinson Cano of the Seattle Mariners is the best second baseman in Major League baseball today.

It’s hard to argue the numbers, too.

Since 2009 in all of the MLB, Cano ranks first in Games played: 958. He ranks first in hits: 1,165. He ranks second in total bases: 1,924 (second only to Miguel Cabrera‘s 2,060). And he also ranks first in WAR: 40.7.

Cano has reigned supreme on MLB Network’s top-10 second basemen since 2012, and doesn’t look to slow down anytime soon. Despite the larger confines of Safeco Field, Cano put up a 142 OPS+ in 2014, and was essential to team success both offensively and defensively.

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Sure, he only had 14 home runs in his first season with the Mariners, but that seemed more a product of him taking the pitches given to him, as opposed to sacrificing his average and OBP to hit 20+ long balls. With the added protection of Nelson Cruz, and more depth up and down the lineup with recent additions and player development, don’t be surprised if Cano jumps up to 20 or so home runs in 2015.

As Harold Reynold notes in the video, Cano has one sustainable offensive attribute that translates to any ballpark: he consistently hits the ball to all fields: right, left, and center, keeping pitchers and defenders on their toes while taking advantages of gaps in defensive assignments.

So, no surprise, Cano is one of the best hitters in baseball. Can he keep it up in 2015 and drive the Mariners past their 87 wins from a season ago? In 16 days, with the first full-squad workout at Spring Training, we will start to find out.