Steven Kwan Appreciation Thread

[macbdog]

Can Kwan be Lofton to Julio’s Listach?

It's more likely that Kwan is the Hamelin to Julio's Manny Ramirez.

 

[macbdog]

It's more likely that Kwan is the Hamelin to Julio's Manny Ramirez.

After seeing the video of Hadley Ruschman, I take it all back: it's more like Julio is LeBron, Kwan is Dwyane Wade, Ruschman is Carmelo Anthony, Michael Harris is Chris Bosh, and Pena is Darko Mlicic.

 

[DCTribefan]

 

[kidduck]

Jim Bowden :

“Kwan leads all left fielders this year in total fielding runs saved and has become the frontrunner for his first Gold Glove award. Besides that, what’s been special about Kwan has been his ability to get on base at a .376 clip while walking more times than striking out. He has also stolen 12 out of 16 base attempts while pounding 18 doubles with an OPS+ of 123. His positive energy and enthusiasm clearly rubs off on his teammates.”

 

[Urban]

I'd love to see Kwan win a gold glove and he'd be deserving. But the Gold Glove is largely a popularity contest, so wouldn't be surprised if they give it to Benintendi or Verdugo

 

[Mott the Hoople]

I'm gonna start beating the drum for the G's to start a push for Kwan for ROY.
MLB is a desert in search of exciting players that play hard, enjoy the game, and are different.
Kwan is a little guy with unusual contact skills, who is not a HR hitter. That's different.
He plays the game with a joy that I haven't seen since Lindor was a kid.

I'll put myself on record. If he continues like this, he can become a national figure in MLB.

 

[Criznit]

I'd love to see Kwan win a gold glove and he'd be deserving. But the Gold Glove is largely a popularity contest, so wouldn't be surprised if they give it to Benintendi or Verdugo

I actually think Kwan is going to win the GG at this rate. Will it will soften the blow of being the 2nd or 3rd in ROY voting though?

 

[Criznit]

 

[Real Deal]

A toddler wrote that sentence, but I dig the case being made.

 

[CDAV45]

A toddler wrote that sentence, but I dig the case being made.

Kwan has been great and all, but let's look at some more of what those 3 have provided their teams.
Kwan in 406 AB has a 122 OPS+ and 3.8 WAR
Rodriguez in 417 AB has a 133 OPS+ and 4.4 WAR
Rutschman in 261 AB has a 133 OPS+ and 3.4 WAR

Believe what you wish, but there is value in slugging the ball and Kwan does so significantly less than either Rodriguez or Rutschman. At the same time both Rodriguez and Rutschman strike out at a significantly higher rate than Kwan. Rutschman walks more than either Kwan and Rodriguez, but Rodriguez is significantly less likely to walk.

 

[Mott the Hoople]

Kwan has been great and all, but let's look at some more of what those 3 have provided their teams.
Kwan in 406 AB has a 122 OPS+ and 3.8 WAR
Rodriguez in 417 AB has a 133 OPS+ and 4.4 WAR
Rutschman in 261 AB has a 133 OPS+ and 3.4 WAR

Believe what you wish, but there is value in slugging the ball and Kwan does so significantly less than either Rodriguez or Rutschman. At the same time both Rodriguez and Rutschman strike out at a significantly higher rate than Kwan. Rutschman walks more than either Kwan and Rodriguez, but Rodriguez is significantly less likely to walk.

Kwan is just a different style of player than those others. Doesn't mean that's bad at all. It takes all types and all positions to win a game. There was Ichiro and there was Harmon Killebrew. Both are in the HOF.
Solo HR's are only so good if nobody's on base.

 

[Lee]

Kwan is just a different style of player than those others. Doesn't mean that's bad at all. It takes all types and all positions to win a game. There was Ichiro and there was Harmon Killebrew. Both are in the HOF.
Solo HR's are only so good if nobody's on base.

Technically all solo HR's are when nobody's on base.

 

[CDAV45]

Kwan is just a different style of player than those others. Doesn't mean that's bad at all. It takes all types and all positions to win a game. There was Ichiro and there was Harmon Killebrew. Both are in the HOF.
Solo HR's are only so good if nobody's on base.

I love Kwan and he's the best damn leadoff hitter this team has had since Grady, but we're talking about ROY. Rodriguez and Rutschman are more deserving. That doesn't lessen my appreciation for Steven and what he does for this ballclub. I'd could actually give a shit less about that award.

 

[sportscoach]

I love Kwan and he's the best damn leadoff hitter this team has had since Grady, but we're talking about ROY. Rodriguez and Rutschman are more deserving. That doesn't lessen my appreciation for Steven and what he does for this ballclub. I'd could actually give a shit less about that award.

Kwan is taking a draft pick away from some other team at least since he doesn't qualify the Guardians for one sadly. I wish they just put in the CBA the teams with the top 3 ROY get the comp pick

 

[CATS44]

Some Kwan numbers to consider:

460 PAs
3 HR
12 SB
10% BB%
9 K%
.373 OBO
123 wRC+
2.9 WAR

Player A:

543 PAs
2 HR
15 SB
7% BB
7% K
.348 OBP
106 wRC+
2.4 WAR

Player B:

562 PAs
8 HR
5 SB
7% BB
16% K
.341 OBP
117 wRC+
2.9 WAR

Player A is Tony Gwynn in his first two seasons.

Player B is Rod Carew in his rookie year.

Kwan is older, but has been better than both to start his career.