Steven Kwan Appreciation Thread

[BimboColesHair]

Hopefully he can get a Gold Glove. I think that's attainable.

He should, and in recent years that award has moved more analytical than popularity contest with regards to voting which would favor Kwan, but it wouldn't surprise me if Benintendi wins it because he's a recognizable name.

 

[ssn774]

Cleveland Guardians beat Tampa Bay Rays, 2-1, with eighth-inning rally

Steven Kwan ignites two-run rally in the eighth inning with game-tying double.

www.cleveland.com

“You have to take away all the other at-bats (that have come before),” said Kwan, when asked about the eighth inning. “Every at-bat is an independent opportunity. You just have to go in there with a clear mind and get after it.”

Kwan hit a 94 mph fastball down the left field line for his 23rd double of the season. He’s hitting .315 (29-for-92) from the eighth inning on. It’s the fourth highest batting average for rookies, according to FanGraphs, with at least 50 plate appearances.

 

[Mr. Orange]

He’s tied Lofton’s club record for hits by a rookie, with 6 games to go. And Lofton finished 2nd in ROTY

 

[Criznit]

Steven Kwan Update - playing even better. Bold is a link to his Baseball Reference page.

I think he will win a Gold Glove as well. Probably should've mentioned that the first time. Bold is a link to his Fangraphs page.

He won't win the ROY but deserves to be the runner up IMO. Third place is also possible, voting should be very close. If he put up his 2nd half numbers all season, he probably wins it... Right?

Pre All-Star break:

Games	AB	Runs	Hits	2B	3B	HR	RBI	BB	IBB	SO	SB	CS	AVG	OBP	SLG	OPS
78	276	39	77	13	3	1	23	32	1	27	5	2	.279	.361	.359	.720

Post All-Star break:

Games	AB	Runs	Hits	2B	3B	HR	RBI	BB	IBB	SO	SB	CS	AVG	OBP	SLG	OPS
64	267	48	87	10	4	5	28	29	1	29	14	3	.326	.393	.449	.842

 

[PocketMonger]

Steven Kwan Update - playing even better. Bold is a link to his Baseball Reference page.

I think he will win a Gold Glove as well. Probably should've mentioned that the first time. Bold is a link to his Fangraphs page.

He won't win the ROY but deserves to be the runner up IMO. Third place is also possible, voting should be very close. If he put up his 2nd half numbers all season, he probably wins it... Right?

Pre All-Star break:

Games	AB	Runs	Hits	2B	3B	HR	RBI	BB	IBB	SO	SB	CS	AVG	OBP	SLG	OPS
78	276	39	77	13	3	1	23	32	1	27	5	2	.279	.361	.359	.720

Post All-Star break:

Games	AB	Runs	Hits	2B	3B	HR	RBI	BB	IBB	SO	SB	CS	AVG	OBP	SLG	OPS
64	267	48	87	10	4	5	28	29	1	29	14	3	.326	.393	.449	.842

If his second half power is for real lookout. Kwan hitting 10-15HRS a year really changes things for him.

 

[sportscoach]

If his second half power is for real lookout. Kwan hitting 10-15HRS a year really changes things for him.

He's gotten more confident/more willing to add in a power swing here and there. I don't ever expect more than that range, but if he can prove me wrong without sacrificing his average, then we are golden...

 

[Criznit]

If his second half power is for real lookout. Kwan hitting 10-15HRS a year really changes things for him.

My gut's prediction for next season is 12 homers +/-5.

 

[PocketMonger]

My gut's prediction for next season is 12 homers +/-5.

With Brennan and Valera knocking on the door plus breakout performances from Kwan and Oscar do the Gards have a crowded outfield next season? What an unbelievable scenario to consider given the state of the outfield from a year ago. Heck when was the last time they had a crowded out field with three everyday guys? The 90's?

 

[KluberSociety]

One thing I find interesting is Kwan does seem to have a weakness against lefties. Maybe not a terrible one but:
vs LHP: 4% BB, 15% K, .290/.315/.390, 85 wRC+
vs RHP: 12% BB, 8% K, .305/.390/.430, 137 wRC+

Unlike Naylor I don't see this being platoon worthy because he still provides his value in the field but he doesn't seem the same guy against both sides. Even as a full time player you need rest sometimes and that should happen vs. LHP and not RHP.

 

[World B ThAreee]

Those are solid lefty/lefty stats. .290? Given how young he is and his approach I expect him to improve there, too. Definitely no platoon necessary.

 

[sportscoach]

One thing I find interesting is Kwan does seem to have a weakness against lefties. Maybe not a terrible one but:
vs LHP: 4% BB, 15% K, .290/.315/.390, 85 wRC+
vs RHP: 12% BB, 8% K, .305/.390/.430, 137 wRC+

Unlike Naylor I don't see this being platoon worthy because he still provides his value in the field but he doesn't seem the same guy against both sides. Even as a full time player you need rest sometimes and that should happen vs. LHP and not RHP.

.290 BA isn't a problem, but if he gets a day off, it's against a lefty starter...

 

[BimboColesHair]

vs LHP: 4% BB, 15% K, .290/.315/.390, 85 wRC+

Hey man.

Some of this board wants to extend someone posting almost that exact slash line, BB%, and K% against righties AND lefties!

 

[KluberSociety]

Amed has been a pretty consistent lefty masher throughout his career (122 wRC+) and this year has wRC+ of 123. Problem is if you're going to play him every day anyway, the splits don't matter too much.

BTW, I was agreeing about not platooning Kwan in case if that was misread. Naylor is the one who really struggles to the point where he's hurting the team vs. lefties. Hope we do figure out what to do there or Naylor figures it out. wRC+ of 60 in 2022, 63 in career vs LHP... a rich man's Mitch Moreland?

 

[Mr. Orange]

The all time club rookie hit king.

Congrats King Kwan

 

[CDAV45]

With Brennan and Valera knocking on the door plus breakout performances from Kwan and Oscar do the Gards have a crowded outfield next season? What an unbelievable scenario to consider given the state of the outfield from a year ago. Heck when was the last time they had a crowded out field with three everyday guys? The 90's?

Just my $.02, but the OF is pretty crowded now and Jones and Valera are in Columbus. Talk about going from rags to riches.....