WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. — During the third game of Grapefruit League play, Astros manager Dusty Baker watched his best-case scenario unfold.
Myles Straw stepped in to start the fourth inning against the New York Mets. He took an elevated curveball for a called strike before watching three balls from Jordan Yamamoto.
Straw saw four more pitches. He fouled off two in a two-strike count. Yamamoto yielded a single on the eighth pitch, the sort of exhausting plate appearance that can tire a pitcher to begin an inning.
Two pitches after Straw singled, he stole second base. He told MLB Network Radio this winter that, with everyday playing time, he would steal anywhere from 50 to 60 bases. Consistent playing time is now available. Straw must conquer one obvious hurdle to achieve his goal.
“The only thing about getting on base to steal 50 bases, you have to get on base,” Baker quipped earlier this spring.
Straw arrived in spring training the presumed starter in center field. Baker will not crown him any time soon. He mentions a competition in response to almost every question about Straw’s spring training performance.
Jose Siri has appeared in five games. Pedro Leon saw action almost immediately after resolving his visa issue. Neither has distinguished himself as a superior option to Straw.
The job is Straw’s to lose.
“I gave (Straw) some challenges this spring, which he’s lived up to,” Baker said. “I told him this is his opportunity to play. All I can do is give you an opportunity, and it’s up to you to take the rest yourself.”
Baker’s intentions for Straw are blatantly obvious. Straw started five of the Astros’ first seven Grapefruit League games. He hit leadoff in four of them. Earlier this spring, when discussing who might replace George Springer atop the Astros’ batting order, Baker mentioned only Straw by name.
Swapping Springer for Straw is a stark change in approach. Springer can change the scoreboard with one swing. Few will mistake Straw for anything resembling a power hitter. Jose Altuve or Alex Bregman profiles as a more Springer-esque leadoff hitter.
Baker seems smitten with Straw’s speed — and the thought he could easily be in scoring position when either Bregman, Altuve or Michael Brantley arrives for his first plate appearance.
“For me, I’ve hit leadoff my whole life just about. I feel comfortable doing it,” Straw said. “It’s been a natural spot for me. Being the quick guy, I’ve always had the opportunity to do it. Personally, I’m a fan of it.”
Baker seems to be, too.
The skipper values Straw’s speed, but it’s only an asset if he reaches base. Straw has a .327 on-base percentage in 224 major league plate appearances, far too small a sample size to draw any grand conclusions. He has reached during five of his first 10 Grapefruit League at-bats, inviting optimism that he’s put some of the organization’s offensive recommendations into practice.
Straw’s bid for everyday playing time hinges on refining an offensive approach that must balance aggression and patience. Baker pleaded with him to swing more and perhaps drop a bunt or two. Last month, without prompt, Baker brought up Straw’s nine called strikeouts in the 2020 season.
Straw has only one strikeout — and it was looking — during his first 10 Grapefruit League at-bats. He struck a double and an opposite-field triple on consecutive days last week. Straw and hitting coach Troy Snitker are focused on perfecting a swing path.
Baker wishes Straw would hit the ball on the ground or on a line. Last season, in a tiny sample size, 30 percent of Straw’s batted balls were flies. He was less than 17 percent in both 2019 and 2020. Straw promised some bunts later in Grapefruit League play, games in which he can continue to cement his status atop the order and in center field.
“I think the more (at-bats) the merrier for me,” Straw said. “I think you can only get better with these reps out here. I’d like to see as many different arms as possible, and I think that’s what’s going to prepare me for the season.
“We’ve got about a month left of spring training. I think there’s a lot of things I can get better at, things I know I could get better at. … We’re going to keep working on getting better.”
chandler.rome@chron.com
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