Steven Kwan has forced his way into the conversation among the postseason’s top hitters, and that alone says plenty about how much his year has turned.
In Theo DeRosa’s hitter power rankings ahead of the Division Series, the Guardians outfielder landed at No. 10, the lone Cleveland player to crack the top 10. That placement would have looked out of place a few months ago.
Kwan’s bat was lagging badly early on, and as late as July 3, his OPS was still below .600. Then came a second-half surge that completely changed the feel of his season.
“Kwan certainly wouldn’t have cracked this list three months ago - his OPS was below .600 as late as July 3 - but a scorching second half changed the narrative of his fifth Major League season. With four Gold Glove Awards in his first four seasons, Kwan is a known defensive wizard, but he can make a major impact out of the leadoff spot in the ALDS,” DeRosa wrote.
That impact showed up in the numbers. Kwan finished the regular season with a 114 wRC+, a comfortably above-average mark after opening the year with an 81 wRC+ in the first half. Once the Guardians came back from the All-Star break, he hit .353/.443/.432 with a 155 wRC+.
The turnaround mattered even more because Kwan had been bumped out of the leadoff spot in May after that rough start. Stephen Vogt kept him in the mix instead of sitting him down, and the move gave Kwan a chance to reset, see the game differently and work his way back. A few weeks later, he was back where he started - leading off again.
Now he’s there with his confidence high, setting the table for an offense that’s been rolling behind a strong pitching staff and a manager who has drawn plenty of praise. The Guardians believe they have the pieces to make a run, but first they have to get past a very solid White Sox club to reach the League Championship Series.
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 🡒]