It is not easy being the new person at any job. Especially if the last person in the position you were hired for was loved by everyone inside and outside of the establishment. So, in order to make sure you do your job effectively all the while trying to gain the trust and support, you may try to hard when really simplicity is the key.

I can imagine that is what Astros center fielder Myles Straw must have felt like his first month as the starting center fielder for the Houston Astros. He was replacing a guy who not only was great at the plate but was amazing defensively in center field in former Astros player George Springer who left Houston via free agency to sign with the Toronto Blue Jays this past season.

Wait. Did I also mention that Springer was voted Most Valuable Player in the 2017 World Series? Oh. My bad. Yes. He helped lead the Astros to their first ever World Series trophy in 2017 against the Los Angeles Dodgers.

So, no real pressure for Straw at all replacing a fan favorite who was loved by all for seven years with Houston right?

Straw started the season very slowly in the field and at the plate, which was to be expected from a player who had no experience when it comes to being a starter on a consistent basis. The former 12th round selectin in the 2015 MLB Draft had played in less than 100 games in the Majors since 2018.

It was just last month that many experts were questioning Astros manager Dusty Baker’s judgement to keep him in the lineup. 3 hits in 19 at bats including a 0-for-11 streak that was over four consecutive games.

All of that led to Straw receiving a day off from the lineup during the series against the Toronto Blue Jays and it seemed to be just what the doctor ordered. Coming in fresh and rejuvenated, he had a very good series against the Boston Red Sox as he hit .400 with two multi-hit games.

“He is playing well,” said Baker. “I think that day off helped him get some of his strength back and hopefully he is getting on a roll.”

During the month of June, Straw is batting .333 (9x27) with 2 doubles, 3 walks and an .814 OPS. That is all due to a conversation he had with the coaching staff on what can be done to help him improve at the plate. The overall was consensus was that he needed to just be more aggressive.

“When I start taking pitches, I know I can put myself in a bad spot,” Straw said. “When I am swinging the bat more often, good things seem to happen. Being more aggressive has done more for me in the last few weeks or so and it has been working so I am going to keep it that way.”