Steven Kwan

Steven Kwan's WAR-tier baseline and counting stats together earn a C performance grade. Through 57 games in the 2026 season, Kwan is batting .206 with 1 home run and 26 strikeouts—a stark departure from the defensive excellence that has defined his career and earned him four consecutive Gold Glove awards from 2022 through 2025. His batting average stands as the clearest weakness, and the strikeout rate relative to limited offensive output reflects a player struggling to generate consistent quality at-bats despite remaining a regular in the Guardians' lineup. What's keeping this from a lower grade is durability; Kwan has appeared in 57 games, signaling availability and a continued role in the outfield mix even as the Guardians have added depth options like Petey Halpin and Stuart Fairchild. The gap between his sterling defensive reputation and his offensive production this season is real, and it's been masked somewhat by the media's sustained goodwill toward him—his professional mindset and track record as one of baseball's most reliable outfielders are doing narrative work that his on-field numbers haven't yet justified. At 28 games into his fifth MLB season, Kwan remains a credible defensive contributor, but he needs to stabilize his hitting to justify continued confidence from the front office and fans alike, especially with contract uncertainty hanging over his future in Cleveland.

Peers ranked by Performance grade among players at the same position. Tap any name for their full profile.