Crasnick not worried about Cano's slow start

ESPN's Jerry Crasnick mentioned Robinson Cano in his "Starting 9" column centered around the season's slow starters.

Here's what he had to say about the Yankees' second baseman:

When Joe Torre compared Cano to Rod Carew in 2005, he wasn't necessarily predicting multiple batting titles. But Cano's fluid stroke, quick hands and mature approach have made a lot of baseball people believe there'll be at least one or two in his long-term future.

In the meantime, he's not immune to the occasional slump. Cano starts with his weight on his front foot, then gradually rocks back and loads as the pitcher begins his delivery. If the process is slightly off kilter, the consequences can be profound.

"He's such a rhythm and timing hitter, and his timing is a little bit off right now," said an American League scout. "I think it's just a case of, 'Wait until April is over.'"

Cano is hitting .139 with runners on base, and manager Joe Girardi recently gave him a day off against Tampa Bay. After Cano produced a game-winning pinch-hit homer, hitting coach Kevin Long observed that it might be just the thing to get him jump-started. Not yet.

Concern level: 2. Hey, he's still a decent bet to be hitting .300 by the All-Star break.

Going into tonight's game, Cano is batting .172 with one home run and five RBI. His OBP sits at an unhealthy .212 and he is slugging a dismal .247.

Cano is very frustrating to many Yankee fans. He has all the talent in the world, but he is prone to lapses both at the plate and in the field (especially when he isn't hitting). Larry Bowa, the Yankees' former third base coach, seemed to have Cano's ear, but he fled to Los Angeles with Joe Torre.

He will turn things around, but this negative pattern has developed over the last two seasons.