Well they don't show Hinata much in combat, buy seeing as how the very creator of Naruto think she would make a better hero than Sakura must mean he sees her a braver, smarter, and stronger character...
Edit: never mind the only reason he prefers hinata is because she is an easier character to work with than Sakura...
Edit: never mind the only reason he prefers hinata is because she is an easier character to work with than Sakura...