After a frustrating start to the season, Steven Kwan has been the Cleveland Guardians' best hitter over the last few months.
There were times earlier this season when it truly looked like the All-Star hitter that Steven Kwan was in the past had vanished as the Cleveland Guardians grappled with where to even have him hit in the lineup.
Well, all of that's now in the past. Kwan has not only turned his season around, but his resurgence over the last few months has him looking like one of the best hitters in Major League Baseball once again.
Stats really do paint a better picture of Kwan's season up to this point.
From Opening Day until the end of June, the left-hander had a slash line of .212/.318/.257 with a wRC+ of just 71.
Still, Cleveland was hopeful Kwan could have a big second half of the season, and that's exactly what's coming to fruition.
The beginning of July marked the start of Kwan's turnaround. From the start of the month through the first week of August, Kwan has hit .408/.491/.531 with a 194 wRC+.
Kwan's season OPS is up to .695, which is still low, but it's an impressive turnaround, considering it was .575 at the end of June.
Beyond the stats, there are signs at the plate that indicate just how locked in he is. Kwan said at the end of July that he feels that one of those indications is when he starts pulling the ball, and he did just that on Friday night against the Chicago White Sox.
Aug 7, 2026; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Cleveland Guardians left fielder Steven Kwan (38) celebrates in the dugout after hitting a home run sixth inning against the Chicago White Sox at Rate Field. Mandatory Credit: Matt Marton-Imagn ImagesIn the __ inning, Kwan ripped a ball right down the right field line. It collided with the foul pole for his second home run of the season.
What's really stood to Cleveland's skipper has been Kwan's ability to keep his hands more in control and let the ball track deeper into the zone over this last stretch, and espeically on that home run.
"You hit a curveball like that when you're committed to hitting the fastball the other way, like he is, " said Stephen Vogt about the homer.
"He's such a good hitter. He's able to keep his hands back, and I told him ‘that two homers off the foul poll. Is this a new trend?’ So really, really fun night.”
More importantly, the ball was pulled, which, again, according to Kwan, indicates how he sees the ball coming out of the pitcher's hand.
Kwan has been reluctant over the last two months to say he is truly back, but the numbers speak for themselves: the Guardians have their All-Star hitter back.
