Steven Kwan’s first half in Cleveland was rough enough to raise real questions. The Guardians outfielder entered the break with an 81 wRC+, a steep drop from his career 108, and for a while he looked like the most disappointing player on the roster relative to expectations.
But the last few weeks have told a different story.
Kwan put together five hits on Saturday alone, collecting two in the first game of the doubleheader and three more in the nightcap, which ended with an exciting walk-off win. Those swings pushed his batting average to .237 and nudged his wRC+ up to 88, a step closer to league-average production and a meaningful one for a Cleveland offense that can use every bit of help it can get.
The bigger picture is even more encouraging. Kwan’s turnaround didn’t start Saturday. Since June 23, he has been trending in the right direction, and if you strip out Saturday’s games, he hit .309 with a 131 wRC+ from that date through last Sunday, the final game of the opening half.
Manager Stephen Vogt has noticed the change, especially with Kwan spending a lot of time in the ninth spot in the lineup lately. After the first game of the doubleheader, Vogt said the two-time All-Star looked like himself again.
“It’s the Kwany we know. It’s been really fun to watch him,” Vogt said after the first game of the doubleheader, before going 3-for-4 with a double and two runs in the nightcap.
There’s also a clear reason for the surge. According to analyst Justin Lada, Kwan has been going to the opposite field more often as pitchers keep living on the outer half and refusing to challenge him inside. Instead of chasing that pitch pattern, he’s started to make opponents pay by spraying the ball the other way.
Steven Kwan has made the adjustment. Teams pitch him away, away, away.
So now he's just gonna wear out the patch of grass in front of left fielders. Align with walks.
That's a much needed upgrade from April, May and June.
If that approach holds, the payoff could be significant. Kwan’s value has never been limited to the bat.
He’s a four-time Gold Glove winner, he walks, he runs the bases well, and he makes few mistakes. If he gets back to being a comfortably above-average hitter, the Guardians’ lineup starts to look a lot more dangerous.
For now, the signs point to a player finding his rhythm again. Since June 23, Kwan has looked much more like the elite contact hitter Cleveland has known throughout his career. And if the power ticks up even a little, the Guardians could be in a much better spot with their young core and the pending return of Jose Ramirez.
In Other News...
Guardians Trade Deadline Pressure Just Spiked After Brutal Outfield Update
The Guardians outfield depth took another hit this week when CJ Kayfus, a prospect who had been part of the clubs fallback plan, was forced out of the picture after ankle surgery. Kayfus had recently been optioned to Triple-A, but his presence still mattered as a potential next man up if injuries or inconsistency thinned out the major league group again.
Now the front office has a tougher read on what it can afford to wait out as the trade deadline approaches. Losing Kayfus as a minor-league safety net does not just trim one name from the depth chart, it sharpens the need to consider outside help, and Cleveland may have to decide sooner rather than later whether to add another outfielder or trust the internal shuffle a little longer. [Read more 🡒]
Guardians May Have Finally Found Their Right-Handed Bat Fix
The Guardians have spent much of the season looking for a right-handed bat that can deepen the lineup and make the roster less vulnerable to matchups late in games. One possible answer has emerged in the form of a trade idea with Cincinnati, where a versatile hitter with defensive value could give Cleveland a more balanced option without forcing a complete reshuffle of the roster.
The appeal is obvious, but so is the price. Any deal would likely hinge on how aggressively the Reds value their player and how willing Cleveland is to part with minor league depth to get it done, which is the kind of trade-off the front office has to weigh carefully this time of year. For now, it remains a fit worth watching because it checks the one box the Guardians have been chasing, even if the path to making it happen is still murky. [Read more 🡒]
Guardians May Have Quietly Let Another Promising Outfield Bat Slip Away
A promising outfield bat who once looked like part of Clevelands future is getting a fresh start elsewhere after the Guardians moved on and he landed with the Phillies on a two-year minor league deal. The change of scenery comes after a season interrupted by a shoulder injury, a setback that slowed a player who had shown real offensive upside in the organization before things went sideways.
He is already back in game action with High-A Jersey Shore, which gives Philadelphia a chance to see whether there is still more to unlock. For Cleveland, it is another reminder of how quickly a developmental path can change, especially when injuries start to chip away at the progress a young hitter has made. [Read more 🡒]