Myles Straw should be the Blue Jays' leadoff hitter

In the realm of baseball, the leadoff hitter has to set the tone, ignite the offense, and become the heartbeat of the lineup.

For the Toronto Blue Jays, that heartbeat is now Myles Straw. The Blue Jays acquired Straw in the offseason from the Cleveland Guardians, and he's spent the first three weeks of the season showing us why he can be the dynamic leadoff presence that Toronto has long needed.

The advanced analytics case for Myles Straw to be the Blue Jays' leadoff hitter

Straw has been nothing short of sensational since he put on a Blue Jays' uniform. Through 14 games this season he's posted a .355 batting average and an impressive .928 OPS.

His recent performances underscore his impact. On Sunday, he had a go-ahead RBI infield single in extra innings against the Orioles followed by a solo home run to break up a no-hitter against the Braves a day later.

Oh, and he also has three steals.

Straw's advanced statistics showcase his dynamic ability

Straw's success is even more impressive once you look under the hood. His aforementioned home run left his bat at 100.3 miles per hour, which indicates a significant uptick in power.

That, couped with his improved plate discipline and strong contact rate, suggest a more refined approach at the plate which makes him a threat to get on base every time he steps up to the plate.

A key factor in Straw's resurgence is a subtle yet impactful change in his approach since being in Toronto.

He's already had 49 competitive swings this season, which puts him on pace to set a career-high in that category. He's backed away from the plate more often and tightened his batting stance (six degrees closed in 2025 compared to about two degrees open in 2023) which could very well be what's leading to him generating power and speed from his long limbs.

And perhaps most importantly, he's swinging at the right pitches and letting the bad ones go — a necessary characteristic for any leadoff hitter.

Straw's influence extends beyond his batting stats as well . His speed on the bases pressures defenses, creates opportunities and disrupts pitchers' rhythms.

Defensively, his range and glove work in center field provide stability up the middle, turning potential extra-base hits into outs.​

Straw won a Gold Glove in 2022 while with Cleveland, and currently in the 91st percentile in range and the 90th percentile in sprint speed.

The case for permanent leadoff status

Myles Straw embodies the quintessential leadoff hitter: consistent, disruptive, and dynamic. His early-season performance has not only energized the Blue Jays' lineup but also filled a long-standing void at the bottom of the order.

Straw flipping to the top of the order could allow Bo Bichette to drop to the No. 2 spot in the lineup and pick up more RBI opportunities while still allowing the big bats of Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Anthony Santander to drive in runs.

Toronto's offense's would be set up for success with Straw at the top of the order.