Robinson Cano is the most “unclutch” player in baseball.
His clutch score is -2.40. Miguel Cabrera is second with a -1.72. I’ve written about clutch score before, so you can read about it here. Basically, what this means is that there is a huge disparity between Cano’s ability to hit in high leverage situations and his ability to hit in “neutral” situations. For instance, with the bases empty, Cano hits .345/.385/.550. However, with the bases loaded he hits .250/.261/.300. With RISP, Cano is hitting .202/.239/.318 and with RISP and 2 outs, Cano is hitting .195/.235/.299. Essentially, what clutch score indicates is that Cano is having an excellent year when no one is on base (yay!). Of course, in baseball, where you optimize your offensive output by hitting with RISP, this is problem for Robbie and the Yankees.
What does this mean, exactly? Is there no hope for our free-swinging friend?
Well, no—not exactly. In the past, Cano’s clutch score, with the exception of last year, has always been in the red. However, in 2009, Robbie’s numbers—clutch score, etc—in high leverage situations have been markedly lower than they have been in previous seasons (Cano’s previous clutch scores were -0.75, -0.36, -0.86 and 0.32). He’s basically having the worst season of his career with men on base. Therefore, though he isn’t really delivering with runners on in 2009, it appears as though these issues are particularly pronounced this year. For this reason, I wonder if he has just been unlucky. However, on the other hand, he has looked awfully impatient at the plate whenever a man is on base. Whatever the case may be, the Yankees have worked with Cano to address the problem, yet I haven’t seen much of an improvement (I’ve seen glimpses, nothing concrete, though).
I’m just tired of cringing every time I see a man on base and Cano in the batter’s box. At least we still have Johnny Damon, Mark Teixeira and Melky Cabrera…
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10 Responses to Cano far from clutch
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TIQ IQ
I’m guessing that the only reason Robbie’s clutch score wasn’t as bad last year was because he wasn’t that great with the bases empty, either. My theory is that his lack of plate discipline catches up to him when men are on because pitchers start nibbling but he keeps swinging. I wrote a post about it over here:
http://fackyouk.blogspot.com/2009/07/risky-robby.html
Exactly, Jay. Yea, Robbie wasn’t good in general last year which explains the positive clutch score. Awesome blog by the way.
He is awful with men on. Except when they’re on first base. He’s the last person (next to Ransom and Molina) I want up there with the game on the line.
At one point people spoke of Cano as a futue #3 or #5 hitter, and sometimes the Yankee announcers on TV still talk this way. Clearly, though, it would be a grave mistake to bat Cano in the lineup in the slots where clutch hitting is expected. Unless and until he figures out how to produce with RISP, he has to be buried deeper in the order.
It’s very odd, because he has the type of swing that can get a hit off of anyone, in any situation. It’s a relatively small sample size, but he’s lost us a number of games already in the 5 hole. He should be in the 7-8 spots where he doesn’t feel pressure. I don’t think the guy deals well with nerves.
CLutch hitters usally understand the strike zone.Swinging at bad pitches when you absolutley must have a base hit is going to end in tragedy every time.
AROD often swings at balls in the dirt when he’s in his pull everything mode and he becomes a bad clutch hitter then also, even though he has a better feel for the strike zone than Cano.
What Cano needs ot do is take a few called 3rd strikes and see that it doesn’t mean anything and you can still hit higher if you’re more selective, especially with 2 strikes.If it’s a full count, Cano swings at anything.No chance he walks.
It’s really amazing how bad he has been. How many times have we seen him swing at first pitch fastballs (inside and on his hands) when a man’s on? Then he throws his bat away in disgust as he hits a weak popup. Agreed, he needs to be more selective in such situations.
I disagree with the whole concept. Time and again ‘clutch’ has been seen to average out over player’s careers. I don’t buy the notion that Cano is a choker with RISP. The sample is far too small to be of any use.
That’s not entirely true. Clutch has never been ruled out on a micro, individual level. Also, defining clutch has a lot to with deciding whether it exists.
Nobody is saying he’s a choker.I’m saying he is not selective and that causes him to NOT see good pitches to hit with men on base.
Why throw it in a hitable place with Cano up there and men on base.He’ll swing at anything .