[image title="539w" size="full" id="17065" align="center" linkto="full" ]
From the NY Post:
Reggie Jackson’s belief that Robinson Cano has passed Dustin Pedroia as the premier second baseman in the American League isn’t simply Mr. October’s bias because he works for the Yankees.
“After this season he will be the best second baseman in the American League and then chase Chase [Utley],” Jackson told The Post. “He is a better player than Pedroia and I think Pedroia is a great player, an MVP.”
Jackson has company from the fraternity that scouts everything from tools to makeup.
The Post contacted six scouts and asked them who was better. Three clearly favored the sizzling Cano, another said it was close but went with Cano and while the fourth picked Pedroia, he admitted Cano was the better hitter. The sixth said Cano had better skills but Pedroia’s all-out effort every game made it a push.
I started this post to dispel the notion that Robbie is better, as I was certain that Pedroia has been the better player since he entered the league. However, I always try and go where the data takes me, and now I am not certain that a definitive evaluation can be made on this question. Here are the WAR numbers from baseballprojection.com, with Cano first and then Pedroia:
[image title="Picture 1" size="full" id="17060" align="center" linkto="full" ]
[image title="Picture 2" size="full" id="17061" align="center" linkto="full" ]
Using Fangraphs WAR gives a slightly different picture in 2009, with Pedroia edging Cano, but the general point holds true. Cano was better in 2007, they were about equal in 2009, and Pedroia was vastly superior in 2008. Cano also had solid seasons in 2005 and 2006 while Dustin was toiling in the minor leagues. Another important variable is the home road splits:
Cano Home: .307/.336/.485 wOBA: .350
Cano Road: .310/.345/.485 wOBA: .352
Pedroia Home: .326/.384/.501 wOBA: .382
Pedroia Road: .288/.354/.420 wOBA: .341
Cano does not have a noticeable split, while Pedroia clearly benefits greatly from playing in Fenway Park.
I think the choice between Cano and Pedroia hinges upon how heavily you weigh Pedroia’s lesser numbers on the road and Cano’s poor 2008. If you see 2008 as a fluke and consider the home-road splits to be vitally important to this analysis, then you will likely take Cano. If you believe that 2008 is indicative of Cano’s inconsistency and find that the splits are not that significant for a guy who is a pretty good player away from home, you will choose Pedroia. I’m torn on this, although if I was forced to make a choice, I would probably take Dustin. 2008 scares me a bit, and Pedroia is a slightly more well-rounded player. But a choice for Cano would be equally valid, and I’m sure I’ll vacillate on this one as their careers progress.
Who do you think is the better player? Why?
If you enjoyed this article, please consider sharing it!
15 Responses to Who Is Better, Pedroia or Cano?
Leave a Reply
TIQ IQ
I’ve participated in this conversation (Cano/Pedroia) before and definitely find it to be a tough call. It’s weak, but I think I call it a push, using the same reasoning you identify in your last paragraph: I think Cano’s 2008 is indicative of a certain measure of volatility from which Pedroia doesn’t suffer like Cano does, but I think Cano’s clearly the better player when you take Pedroia out of Fenway. If Cano hits his prime and puts the volatility issue behind him, he wins, IMO.
Cano is better.
Ok, that’s a fair opinion. But why?
You are eminently patient. Like a miniature Buddha, covered in hair.
It’s taken many years of blogging to learn that sort of patience. I dont have that as much on Twitter, though.
On the whole I think theyre about equal really, but Cano is a better hitter, while Pedroia is a better fielder. In the long run though, I’d be more inclined to go with Cano due to one factor; swing. Cano’s sing is graceful and seems almost effortless, whereas Pedroia is visibly putting everything he has into every swing. Considering that, I’d be very orried that even a slight drop in his bat speed, due to injury or age, could lead to a major drop in offensive production, especially since he’s already an extreme pull hitter.
Can I have Pedroia’s defense and Cano’s bat?
I’ll take Cano’s defense any day. I don’t think there’s a second baseman around who turns the double play faster than him.
Comparing GIDPs, really?
Huh? It’s part of the overall picture. Did anyone use that to make a case for one or the other?
Cano.
because he has the interlocking NY on his hat :-)
Pedroia will most likely be the next Marcus Giles. The guy’s athletic, and has a world-class ability to put the bat on the ball, but he’s simply not a great athlete on the level of guys like Jeter, A-Rod, and (it looks like) Cano. His swing is unorthodox and long, and while it clearly works for him while he’s in his athletic prime, once he falls off even a little bit he’ll be done. Guys like Pedroia simply do not last. Cano more likely will.
It’s roughly a push on their careers to date, but going forward, it’s not much of a fight.
As everyone says, RC is more talented. Who is the better overall player comes down to defense in my opinion. RC is a better hitter. But it’s clear that Pedroia is a better defender. One of the best fielding 2b in the game. So it all hinges on RC’s defense. If he can be a consistent, average fielder I’ll take him. Otherwise, give me the Gold Glover who can get on base consistently.
Pedroia is a mediocre player outside of Fenway and the product of hype rather than performance. His MVP was a complete joke. Cano is a superior player and not by a little.
HaaHaa
I guess that this arguement is over…really……Pedroia isn’t even the second best 2nd baseman in the east….Cano vs Pedroia MAN vs your short potbellied, bald next door neighbor. When their careers are over, people are gonna shake their heads and wonder how Pedroia was EVER compared to Cano.
Remember that whos better thing going on with Jeter vs Nomar? Kinda silly now, aint it??