The Cleveland Guardians are one of 26 MLB teams watching the playoffs from home as the Philadelphia Phillies, Arizona Diamondbacks, Houston Astros, and Texas Rangers battle it out to see who wins the 2023 World Series.
One of the Guardians’ best fielders, Myles Straw, is celebrating his birthday on Tuesday.
The team made sure to send the player their best wishes, and fans joined in the replies section on Twitter with their own messages.
Hope you have a Strawsome day, @myles_straw!#ForTheLand pic.twitter.com/uNNn71QXTr
— Cleveland Guardians (@CleGuardians) October 17, 2023
Straw was one of the most prominent players in the Guardians’ magical run in 2022.
He won the Gold Glove award for his outstanding defense in center field that year and helped the Guardians pitching staff with awesome catches back there.
This year he showed a similarly great glove, but could only muster a .597 OPS in 147 games and 462 at-bats.
He did manage to steal 20 bases and play excellent defense.
Acquired in 2021 from the Astros in exchange for reliever Phil Maton and catching prospect Yainer Diaz, Straw scored 52 runs this year and contributed 110 hits.
Power is not really part of his game, but the Guardians do need him to be more productive with a bat in his hands.
Still, his defense and speed are so impactful that he is a key player even with below-average offensive contributions.
He will be a big part in Cleveland’s impressive run-prevention skills for the future.
Having excellent pitchers obviously helps and is the primary reason why the Guards have a solid team ERA, but great defense also helps the hurlers succeed.
Straw, turning 29, still has three seasons remaining on his contract.
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