Steven Kwan’s season started in a place nobody expected, and that’s exactly why his turnaround deserves more attention.
Through May 23, 2026, the Cleveland Guardians leadoff man was hitting just .196, a jarring line for a player with a career batting average of .282. For a hitter who’s built a reputation on consistency, the early stretch stood out for all the wrong reasons. He wasn’t just part of the problem for a team that had its share of issues; he was one of the biggest surprises in the league.
That rough opening set off plenty of debate. Some fans and observers wondered whether Cleveland had missed its chance to trade the multi-time All-Star and Gold Glove winner when his value might have brought back a significant return. Others argued it was simply a slump, one that could eventually snap back and leave the Guardians in a better spot if they chose to keep him.
Kwan answered with a stretch that looked nothing like the first two months of his season. From May 24 through the end of the regular season on Sept. 26, he hit .325.
That surge lifted his season batting average by 86 points, a massive climb after the way things began. It was bad enough early on that he was dropped down in the batting order for a time before working his way out of the funk.
The timing could hardly be better for Cleveland, with the Chicago White Sox waiting in the ALDS. The Guardians enter the series as one of the worst offenses in the Majors and don’t bring much power to the table.
That makes Kwan even more valuable. He may not be a regular threat to leave the yard, but he forces pitchers to work, and he has a knack for reaching base multiple times in a game.
That kind of pressure matters. It can wear down a pitching staff pitch by pitch, and it helps explain why José Ramírez usually hits right behind him. When Kwan is doing his job at the top, Ramírez gets better looks.
The hope is that a healthy Ramírez can find his old form in the playoffs, which would make the Kwan-Ramírez pairing even more dangerous. Kwan’s resurgence may not be getting the loudest national attention, but it’s there, and it could end up being one of the biggest reasons Cleveland makes noise against Chicago.
In Other News...
Jo Adell Sends Guardians A Clear Message After Flat ALDS Opener
After a flat start to the American League Division Series, the Guardians were left searching for any spark after Chicagos pitching held them to three hits and no runs in Game 1. Clevelands offense never found a rhythm, and with the series shifting back to Progressive Field for Mondays Game 2, the tone around the team quickly turned from disappointment to urgency.
Jo Adell, who went 0-for-4 with four strikeouts, was among the players stressing the need to flush the opener and move on. For a Guardians club that knows how quickly a postseason series can tilt, the challenge now is to reset at home and come back with a cleaner, more aggressive approach before the White Sox can seize full control. [Read more 🡒]
Guardians Have A 20-Year-Old Shortstop Fans Need To Watch
Welbyn Francisca is the kind of young infielder who can make a prospect list feel alive, and the 20-year-old shortstop wasted little time reminding people why he has climbed so quickly through the Guardians system. On Opening Day in the Arizona Fall League, Francisca put together a loud all-around performance, going 5-for-5 with a double, a home run, three runs scored, three RBIs, a walk and a stolen base.
What makes that line especially notable is how it fits into the bigger arc of his year. Francisca spent the 2026 minor league season moving across multiple levels, batting .272 with 19 home runs and 53 RBIs despite missing time because of injury, and he is still showing the kind of impact that suggests his rise is far from finished. For Cleveland, the appeal is obvious: a young shortstop with production, athleticism and momentum, all in the same package. [Read more 🡒]
Guardians May Be Headed For A Costly 2027 Roster Squeeze
Major league clubs always keep one eye on the present and another on the payroll calendar, and the Guardians are getting a reminder of how quickly the bill can climb. MLB Trade Rumors recently laid out projected arbitration salaries for Clevelands 2027 roster, a snapshot that points to Steven Kwan and Jo Adell as two of the pricier names if the club keeps them in the fold.
The projections are only speculative and built from current performance and arbitration eligibility, but they underscore the kind of roster squeeze that can arrive fast for a contender trying to keep its core intact. Not every familiar face is a sure thing to stay, either, with Slade Cecconi and David Fry among the players whose futures could look different by then, leaving Cleveland to weigh cost against continuity. [Read more 🡒]