Houston Astros outfielder Myles Straw uses his incredible speed to lead off the week’s debuts
With a couple weeks left in the season, the MLB debut list is getting shorter and shorter each week, but each piece can have a significant piece to the playoffs. Houston Astros outfielder Myles Straw leads off the group this week.
Myles Straw
The Chicago Cubs have Terrance Gore. Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts served in the role himself with the Boston Red Sox as a player. The role was really defined by Herb Washington, who played in 105 games between 1974 and 1975, stealing 31 bases without collecting a single plate appearance.
The Astros selected Straw out of St. Johns River Community College in Florida in the 12th round in 2015. He immediately stole 22 bases over 58 games in the Appalachian League in his draft season.
In his first full season, Straw played through both A-ball levels, hitting .358/.423/.454 with 21 steals over 87 games. He hit 6 triples and used his speed to leg out 18 doubles as well.
Straw then spent most of 2017 in high-A, finishing in AA to help with their playoff run. He hit .290/.405/.360 on the season with 38 steals and 7 triples. This season, he spent equal time at AA/AAA and hit .291/.381/.353 with 70 steals in 131 games.
Straw has incredible speed and contact ability, which should give him a chance to work as a traditional type down the road for someone, but the Astros could simply use Straw for a pinch-runner extraordinaire this postseason. He got his first game action on Saturday, pinch-running in the 7th inning and then taking over in center field for the final two innings. He’s yet to record a plate appearance.