CLEVELAND -- Winning a Gold Glove Award is a testament to a player having a remarkable season defensively. Winning four, let alone four consecutive, means you’re in remarkable company.
When Guardians left fielder Steven Kwan earned his fourth Gold Glove in as many big league seasons earlier this month, he matched Kenny Lofton for the most by an outfielder in Cleveland franchise history. The significance of that is not lost upon the 28-year-old, given the legacy that Lofton crafted during his 11 seasons with the team.
“It's hard to believe, saying that in the same sentence,” Kwan said. “Kenny Lofton should be a Hall of Famer. He was so impactful in his career. … For him to get four while he was here is a testament to how consistent in quality he was. It’s definitely special.”
Kwan pointed out that Lofton won his four Gold Gloves with Cleveland as a center fielder, as further appreciation to the significance of Lofton’s feat. But Kwan’s own achievement of course is a source of pride for him, certainly given the work that led to his latest hardware.
Kwan’s arm was at the center of his stellar defensive work in 2025. He led all fielders in Defensive Runs Saved (22), and he ranked first in both outfield assists (13) and by preventing seven extra runs by baserunners. Each of those were a new career high.
Beyond the outfield assists, we consistently saw Kwan corral a ball and swiftly get it back to the infield to prevent a runner from advancing an extra base. He attributed that to the familiarity he has gained through his career with the league’s various ballparks and how their outfields play.
“I don't think I've usually had that much impact in the game with my arm, so that feels really cool,” Kwan said. “A lot of that success came from keeping doubles as singles or getting balls in quick. I think I'm most proud of that. It’s not one of those things that's super sexy, and it's kind of one of those things that can get overlooked at times. But I've had pitchers tell me multiple times how big that is.
“I think it’s the best feeling when it's one out, a guy hits a ball off the wall and you keep him to a single. Then next at-bat [there’s a] double play. Those are the ones where it feels like you really helped the team out.”
Kwan also noted his latest Gold Glove is a testament to his teammates who completed the plays that earned him his assists, and he credited the work that Guardians outfield coach JT Maguire does behind the scenes.
Maguire has spent the past seven seasons coaching in the Guardians organization, including the past three as Cleveland’s outfield and baserunning coach. He and Kwan’s relationship goes back to their shared time in the Minor Leagues.
Maguire was hired ahead of the 2019 season as the bench coach of Cleveland’s Arizona Complex League team. The 2018-19 offseason was Kwan’s first in the organization after Cleveland selected him in the fifth round of the '18 Draft.
Maguire later was Triple-A Columbus’ bench coach in 2021, when Kwan played 26 games for the Clippers. Kwan said Maguire’s continued drive has always pushed him to keep working throughout the season.
“I always say his super power is his honesty, and there's always something to work on,” Kwan said. “There's no complacency that he allows when we play. I remember early on when we were both in the organization. … He came to me with a bunch of stuff, and we had a really good dialogue. I disagreed with something, and he had, like, three videos basically showing me why I was wrong.
“It's like, ‘Wow, this guy is prepared. He's not just doing all this stuff to check a box off. He's really here to make some progress as an outfielder.’”
With his relentless work defensively, Kwan continues to add gold to his résumé.
“It's super validating,” Kwan said of his latest hardware. “My wife makes fun of me because I always have the clichés, but I think it's really true. My dad ingrained that to me when I was really young that defense never slumps. It's always really important.
“As a guy who wasn't a bat-first guy in college and high school, it was something I knew that I needed to focus on to stay in baseball. I look at this award as super affirming to all of those things.”