The Cleveland Guardians have decided to move forward without Myles Straw on their active roster.
Yes, he was recently extended and plays spectacular defense, but the organization feels his offensive limitations cap the lineup’s overall upside so they waived him.
He went unclaimed and has accepted an assignment to Triple-A.
Who will be the Guardians’ center fielder?
Logic indicates that if Steven Kwan has won Gold Gloves in left field, he could do a decent job in center.
That’s, however, not the route the team is going, or at least there haven’t been any indications of that possibility being in play.
Instead, a young Guardians player is making sure to leave a great impression on coaches, manager Stephen Vogt, and the front office.
Tyler Freeman is positioning himself to be the starter in the middle of the outfield.
“Tyler Freeman manned CF in Spring Training and with Straw going to AAA appears to be getting the nod to start. In limited time he had 84 wRC+ and 660 OPS. He had a nice June/July with a 730 OPS. Projected for about 100 wRC+ this season. Straw had a 69 wRC+ and 600 OPS last year,” Bryan Shaw, co-host of the MLB GuardCast podcast, tweeted.
Tyler Freeman manned CF in Spring Training and with Straw going to AAA appears to be getting the nod to start
In limited time he had 84 wRC+ and 660 OPS
He had a nice June/July with a 730 OPS
Projected for about 100 wRC+ this season
Straw had a 69 wRC+ and 600 OPS last year pic.twitter.com/q9iFg0pYIy
— Bryan Shaw (@WxShaw) March 25, 2024
Ramon Laureano has experience in center and Daniel Schneemann has also played there in the spring.
However, every time the Guards field something close to their projected Opening Day lineup, it’s with Freeman in center.
Laureano and Will Brennan will probably rotate in the right field/designated hitter spots, and Kwan is firmly entrenched in left field.
Freeman seems set to be the center fielder, and while his MLB line so far has been underwhelming (.243/.302/.339 in 254 plate appearances), he is projected to be a league-average offensive player in 2024, something Straw has little to no chance of ever being.
NEXT: Guardians Former Regular Assigned To Triple-A After Going Unclaimed On Waivers