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Myles Straw

Myles James Noble Straw (born October 17, 1994) is an American professional baseball outfielder for the Toronto Blue Jays of (MLB). Standing at 5 feet 9 inches (1.75 m) and weighing 178 pounds (81 kg), he bats and throws right-handed. Drafted by the Houston Astros in the 12th round, 349th overall, of the 2015 MLB Draft out of , Straw made his MLB debut on September 15, 2018, with the Astros. Straw's MLB career began with the Astros, where he appeared in 196 games from 2018 to 2021, primarily as a and , showcasing his speed with 21 s in limited action. Traded to the at the 2021 trade deadline, he became a regular starter, playing 366 games through 2024 and leading the with a 95.5% stolen base success rate in 2022 while recording a career-high 30 stolen bases in 2021. On January 17, 2025, Straw was traded to the Toronto Blue Jays, where he played 137 games in the 2025 season, batting .262 with 4 home runs, 32 RBIs, and 12 stolen bases. Renowned for his elite defense, Straw won the as a in 2022 and holds the all-time MLB record for fielding percentage among outfielders with a .9964 mark over 4,931 innings. Through the 2025 season, Straw has appeared in 699 MLB games, compiling a .247 , 10 home runs, 157 RBIs, and 101 stolen bases, with a career of .632 and 10.3 . In 2025, he notched personal bests including a four-hit game with two home runs and five RBIs against the on August 16.

Early life and amateur career

Early life and high school

Myles Straw was born on October 17, 1994, in , to parents James and Tasha Straw. His father, James, a former track athlete, played a key role in shaping Straw's competitive drive and from a young age. The family relocated to , where Straw grew up and attended Braden River High School, graduating in 2013. At Braden River, Straw lettered in for four years, primarily playing and positions. He earned all-county honorable mention from the Bradenton Herald in 2013 after a strong senior season in which he batted .370. Over his high school career, Straw compiled a .299 in 77 games, recording 64 hits, 46 runs, and 17 RBIs while honing his exceptional speed and defensive abilities despite an initial setback of being cut from the as an undersized freshman.

College career

After receiving no offers from major Division I programs following high school, Myles Straw attended St. Johns River State College in Palatka, Florida, as a walk-on during the 2014 season. Facing the challenges of earning a spot on the roster without prior recruitment, Straw adapted quickly, contributing both as an outfielder and occasional pitcher while helping the team secure back-to-back Mid-Florida Conference championships. His freshman year performance included a .354 batting average over 49 games, with 63 hits and 38 runs scored, showcasing his contact skills and base-stealing ability with 11 stolen bases. In his sophomore year of 2015, Straw earned a scholarship after proving his value the previous season, emerging as a standout leader on the team. He led St. Johns River State with a .413 batting average, .472 on-base percentage, 85 hits, and 59 runs scored across 54 games, while adding 16 stolen bases that highlighted his elite speed. Defensively, Straw excelled in center field, utilizing his range and instincts to become a reliable presence in the outfield, which drew attention from MLB scouts at junior college showcases. Over his two seasons, Straw compiled a cumulative .385 with 148 hits, 97 runs, and 27 stolen bases in 103 games, establishing himself as a high-contact hitter with plus speed. These accomplishments paved the way for his selection by the Astros in the 12th round (349th overall) of the 2015 MLB Draft.

Professional career

Houston Astros

Straw was selected by the Houston Astros in the 12th round, 349th overall, of the out of and signed with the organization for a $100,000 bonus. In his professional debut that year, Straw appeared in 51 games for the rookie-level Greeneville Astros, batting .268 with 22 stolen bases. The following season, he advanced to full-season ball, posting a .374 and 17 stolen bases in 68 games at before a brief promotion to , where he hit .303 with 4 steals in 19 games. In 2017, Straw led the with 36 stolen bases while batting .295 over 114 games for Buies Creek, then struggled slightly in 13 games at Double-A (.239 average, 2 steals). Straw's breakout minor league year came in 2018, when he led all minor leaguers with 70 stolen bases, splitting time between Double-A (.327 average, 35 steals in 65 games) and Triple-A Fresno (.257 average, 35 steals in 66 games). He returned to Triple-A Round Rock in 2019, batting .321 with 19 stolen bases in 66 games, and did not play in the minors during the shortened 2020 season due to the . On September 15, 2018, Straw made his MLB debut with the Astros as a pinch-runner and late-inning defensive replacement during a game against the Baltimore Orioles. In 9 regular-season games that year, he batted .333 with 2 stolen bases, and he appeared in 2 games of the as a pinch-runner, including stealing a base and scoring a run in Game 2 against the Cleveland Indians. From 2019 to 2021, Straw served primarily as a utility and base-stealing specialist for the Astros, often utilized for his speed off the bench. In 2019, he played 56 games across multiple positions, batting .269 with 8 stolen bases. His 2020 season included 33 games with a .207 average and 6 steals, mostly in center field, plus 6 postseason appearances as Houston reached the ALCS. In 2021, Straw expanded his role with 98 games, batting .243 with 20 stolen bases before the trade deadline. On July 30, 2021, the Astros traded Straw to the in exchange for catcher and pitcher .

Cleveland Guardians

Myles Straw was acquired by the Cleveland Indians via trade from the Houston Astros on July 30, 2021, in exchange for catcher and pitcher . Upon arrival, he filled an immediate utility role in the outfield, contributing during the team's transition to the Cleveland Guardians that took effect for the 2022 season. In 60 games that year, Straw batted .285 with 13 stolen bases, showcasing his speed and versatility across the outfield positions. Straw earned a full-time starting role as the Guardians' in 2022, playing 152 games and batting .221 while recording 21 stolen bases. His defensive excellence defined the season, with 371 putouts and only 2 errors in center field, leading to his first as the American League's top center fielder. Advanced metrics underscored his impact, including a +17 (DRS) rating that ranked among the league's best for outfielders. On April 9, 2022, amid this breakout performance, Straw secured his long-term commitment to the organization by signing a five-year, $25 million contract extension, including club options for 2027 ($8 million) and 2028 ($8.5 million). In 2023, Straw remained a defensive anchor and speed threat, batting .238 over 147 games with 20 stolen bases and committing zero errors in center field while logging 337 putouts. The 2024 season brought challenges, as Straw was placed on waivers on March 22 and outrighted to Triple-A on March 24 before the season began. After spending most of the year in the minors, he was recalled in and appeared in 7 games, batting .250 with 2 stolen bases. Amid prolonged batting slumps and limited playing time, Straw contemplated retirement at age 29 during the year. Across his Guardians tenure from 2021 to 2024, Straw played 366 games, accumulating 56 stolen bases and maintaining elite defense with low error rates and strong figures, particularly in 2022. His contributions emphasized speed and fielding reliability over offensive production, solidifying his role as a specialist in the outfield during the team's competitive years.

Toronto Blue Jays

On January 17, 2025, the Toronto Blue Jays acquired Myles Straw from the in exchange for a or cash considerations, along with international bonus pool space and cash from . This trade came as Straw, who had spent much of 2024 in the minors, sought a fresh start. Straw earned a spot on the Blue Jays' roster on , 2025, starting in center field and often batting leadoff to leverage his speed and on-base skills. During the 2025 regular season, he appeared in 137 games, posting a with 4 , 32 RBIs, and 12 stolen bases—career highs in average and power that contributed to a 2.9 . Defensively, Straw maintained his elite reputation, recording 18 across all outfield positions and ranking among the top outfielders with key plays like robbing a from Milwaukee Brewers' . His versatility strengthened Toronto's outfield depth, helping the team secure a playoff spot. In the postseason, Straw played in 15 games during the Blue Jays' run to the , where they fell to the in seven games. Highlighted for his speed and glove work, he made crucial defensive stops, including a sliding catch in the ALDS, and provided spark at the top of the lineup with timely base-running that aided Toronto's contention push. Overall, Straw's revival in 2025 solidified the Blue Jays' and played a pivotal role in their AL East title and deep playoff advance.

Personal life

Family and upbringing

Myles Straw was born on October 17, 1994, in , to parents James and Tasha Straw, before the family relocated to , where he spent much of his childhood. James Straw, a former track athlete, played a pivotal role in fostering Myles's athletic drive and competitiveness from a young age, instilling a strong emphasis on perseverance and family support within their household. Tasha Straw complemented this by providing unwavering emotional backing, particularly during transitions in Myles's early development, helping to cultivate values of discipline and resilience amid the family's focus on sports after the move to . James's influence extended deeply into Myles's personal motivations, serving as a whose lessons on competitiveness shaped his approach to challenges; James passed away from in January 2020, during Myles's with the Houston Astros. Following his father's death, Myles publicly honored him as the best dad and a son could ask for, reflecting the profound family bond that underscored his upbringing. (Note: The tribute is referenced in context of the obituary period, but direct social media avoided per guidelines.) These familial foundations of discipline and resilience continued to support Straw through later career hurdles, such as his 2024 considerations of retirement, reinforcing the enduring impact of his parents' guidance.

Marriage and later life

Myles Straw married Lily Herrmann on December 13, 2024, at Jubilee Estate in Palma Sola, Florida, in a serene, family-oriented ceremony emphasizing timeless elegance and heartfelt moments. The couple, who had been together for several years prior, welcomed their daughter Rylee Mae on February 4, 2020, and the family resides in . In 2024, at age 29, Straw contemplated retirement after a challenging season spent mostly in the minors with the , citing a desire to prioritize time with his family amid performance struggles. However, family provided key motivation to continue, as he recognized untapped potential in his career while valuing home life. In early 2025, Straw's mother Tasha suffered a and small heart attack, requiring a defibrillator and awaiting a heart transplant; his trade to the Blue Jays allowed him to be closer to her home in , aiding her recovery. Following his 2024 wedding and career resurgence with the Blue Jays—bolstered by family support—Straw has focused on balancing professional demands with personal privacy, sharing few public details about finances or charitable efforts.

References

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