PHOENIX -- The exhibition slate is nearly over, and Opening Day is around the corner. Soon, Steven Kwan will embark upon his new challenge: center field.
“I think he's more than ready,” Guardians outfield and baserunning coach JT Maguire said.
The Guardians used this spring to trial run playing Kwan (who’s won four consecutive AL Gold Glove Awards in left field) in center. Twelve of his 16 starts in Cactus League play came at the latter, as the Guardians stress-tested things as much as possible.
Kwan drew the start in left field in Monday’s 7-0 win vs. the D-backs at Chase Field, but manager Stephen Vogt made official over the weekend what has been increasingly evident: Kwan will play both positions this season. We could see it as soon as Thursday’s season opener against the Mariners at T-Mobile Park.
When Kwan plays center will depend on matchups and how the Guardians can best maximize their offense and defense. But he understands his Gold Glove streak may end this year, given he’ll be balancing his time between two spots. He also understands the greater picture and how much being able to play center will help the Guardians overall.
“If that results in me losing a Gold Glove in left because I don’t qualify, I really don’t care,” Kwan said. “I think it’s probably a little vain to say, but I think four Gold Gloves in a lifetime is probably enough for anybody. I know in doing this, I’m helping the team, getting guys more opportunities. I think I’ve been rewarded for playing unselfishly.
“... Whatever the team needs, whatever Vogter needs, I think it’ll all work out.”
The Guardians have a bevy of corner outfielders in their mix, including up-and-coming hitters such as Chase DeLauter (No. 2 prospect, No. 46 overall according to MLB Pipeline), George Valera and CJ Kayfus. Kwan playing center will allow Vogt to pencil in two of those guys in a given game, versus one. That, in turn, will allow the Guardians to get their best hitters in the lineup more frequently.
There’s also a benefit here for Kwan. He’s set to become a free agent after the 2027 season, and having multiple positions in his tool kit will only help his overall value. He’s one of the Majors’ top leadoff hitters who is elite at making contact. That profile could be more valuable to teams in center versus left. Corner players often profile as having some thump.
“Kwany wants to win,” Vogt said. “Obviously for him, there's an element of this that if he plays center field, that's good for him, too. But the move to center field was largely driven by, ‘If I need to play center field to help us field the best team possible, I'm willing to do it.' Kwany is a selfless teammate.”
Kwan played center throughout college and in the Minor Leagues. This is not uncharted territory for him, though what’s old will still be new. He’s only played 31 innings in center in the Majors. He will be experiencing the position at many ballparks for the first time. It’s something he’s excited for, as both a challenge and way to break up the monotony of the season.
“Center field is a completely new ballgame. New ballparks, almost,” Kwan said. “That makes it exciting to revisit these stadiums and play different angles.”
From the standpoint of what Kwan could practice and take into games, Maguire noted they worked on going back on balls. In left, Kwan had the wall as a security blanket; he mastered playing balls off the 19-foot wall at Progressive Field. In center, he’ll be chasing balls backward and into the gaps more frequently.
In Cactus League games, Kwan and Maguire worked on his positioning, more so from a lateral perspective. Teams don’t scout opposing hitters for positioning during Spring Training. Sometimes, Kwan may have been set up more shallowly than needed. Once the regular season begins, the Guardians will have him in the right spot of depth and lateral positioning.
Kwan has a good first step and a plus arm. In 2025, he covered 0.5 feet more in the right direction within the first three seconds after a pitch was released, according to Statcast -- which ranked 31st among 93 qualified outfielders. His average arm strength this past season (86.9 mph) ranked in the 68th percentile.
All combined, Kwan has the makings of being a plus big league center fielder.
“Once we can get our positioning dialed in the outfield and all those other things,” Vogt said, “Kwany is going to become a Gold Glove-caliber center fielder. We know that.”