Toronto Blue Jays Myles Straw speaks on the team's current clubhouse
Photo credit: Yardbarker
The Toronto Blue Jays manager assigned Miles Straw to Group B with the team's outfielders, a group typically made up of younger and less experienced players. However, Straw was far from inexperienced.
Blue Jays outfielder Miles Straw shows that he's back to enjoying the game of baseball again, despite being undervalued by the team coaching staff before the start of the regular season.
David Singh from Sportsnet writes that John Schneider recalled an important conversation he had with Myles Straw at the start of spring training. At 30 years old, with over 550 games played across seven MLB seasons, Straw had plenty of experience. Schneider wanted to reassure him that his assignment didn't reflect his position in the team's hierarchy.
Straw hasn't forgotten that conversation either and says it made it easier for him to feel comfortable with his new team.
Here's what he had to say following batting practice on Tuesday afternoon at Rogers Centre.
"I listened to what he said, and it was very transparent. Obviously, I made the team. He told me not to worry about it and so I didn't really have any expectations coming in. Just wanted to have fun and try to prove to myself what I could do." -Straw
Singh also writes that Straw is definitely showing himself what he's capable of lately. Just 18 games into the season, he's been a pleasant surprise, contributing across the board with his defense, hitting, and speed.
To put it in perspective: according to Baseball Reference, he's already accumulated 0.6 wins above replacement. While it's still a small sample size, that mark ranks behind only Andrés Giménez (0.7 WAR) and George Springer (0.8) among the team's position players.
"That kind of impact was hard to envision back in January when Straw was traded to Toronto from Cleveland for $2 million in international bonus-pool space. The Blue Jays wanted to improve their chances of acquiring Japanese right-hander Roki Sasaki, and absorbing the $11 million committed to Straw in order to do so brought a heavy dose of criticism. Sasaki ultimately chose the Los Angeles Dodgers, and Straw was coming off a 2024 season in which he spent most of the year struggling in triple-A." -Singh
It was a difficult situation for Straw, particularly given his past success in the majors. After being traded from Houston to Cleveland in 2021, he posted a .271/.349/.348 slash line that season, along with 29 doubles, 30 stolen bases, and 3.3 bWAR. The following year, he earned a Gold Glove as the Guardians' starting center fielder, helping the team reach the American League Division Series.
"You're not walking on eggshells. When I was in spring, I felt like I've been here for a year or two already. Guys like Vladdy and Bo, the leaders, and even the relievers, the pitchers, everybody, just coming up and talking to me a lot helped. The whole comfort thing is a big deal in baseball." -Straw
That sense of comfort has shown up in Straw's performance on the field as well. He spoke highly of the support he's received from Blue Jays hitting coach David Popkins and assistants Lou Iannotti and Hunter Mense, calling their approach a breath of fresh air.
"That mentality has paid early dividends for Straw. He's flashed a steady plate approach and has 11 hits - including one homer and two doubles - in 29 at-bats. Straw has received plenty of playing time due to the absence of regular centre-fielder Daulton Varsho, who's been rehabbing his right shoulder in Florida after off-season surgery." -Singh
Straw seems to be enjoying himself on the field again.
"I'm having the most fun I probably had in my career. I'm happy to be here no matter what, whether I'm playing or not. I look forward to helping the team win that day and it's just fun. It's fun to be around these guys every day.» -Straw
"Fun" has been the defining theme of Straw's 2025 season so far. It's a stark contrast from last year, when he was stuck in the minors and struggling with a loss of passion for the game he once loved.
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