The experiment of moving Steven Kwan to center field is working out so far for the Cleveland Guardians. In the first seven games, Kwan has made four starts at his new position, and moved there in another game, and the Guardians emerged from their opening road trip with a somewhat surprising 4-3 record.
The decision to put a four-time Gold Glove left fielder somewhere else in the outfield was not made lightly. The Guardians used different alignments throughout spring training, and manager Stephen Vogt still seems to be figuring out the best path forward.
Now, a surprising detail has emerged about Kwan’s role change, with Guardians assistant general manager Matt Forman saying it was the veteran player’s idea in an effort to help the team.
“He approached us with the idea of playing center. That speaks to his selflessness and his motivations to be a great teammate and do whatever it takes to help out,” Forman said.
"He's 1 of 3 players to start his career with 3 gold gloves in a row. He mentioned interest in the possibility of playing CF in spring training. That says a lot about who he is."
📞Matt Forman, Guardians assistant GM, on Steven Kwan pic.twitter.com/V6TSbwPEMo
— 92.3 The Fan (@923TheFan) April 3, 2026
Entering spring training, it was a near certainty that top prospect Chase DeLauter would become a starting outfielder, with fellow rookie George Valera the other favorite to join Kwan in the lineup. So, it was thought that the two young players might be better able to adjust to their first full MLB season by playing the less-demanding corner spots.
In addition, as Cleveland’s best defensive player, it made sense for Kwan to play the most difficult outfield position. Having strength up the middle is a longtime baseball tenet, and this would help the Guardians in that regard.
Those plans changed somewhat with Valera beginning the season on the injured list with a strained calf. That opened up playing time for Angel Martinez, who was thought to possibly be the odd man out after he was the Guardians’ primary starting center fielder last season.
After an excellent spring training, Martinez has started two games in left field and two in right field. With DeLauter briefly sidelined by a bruised foot, CJ Kayfus, who was thought to be used more as the DH, has played in four games in the outfield, and utility players Daniel Schneemann and David Fry have appeared in three and two, respectively.
All of this movement has not seemed to affect Kwan at the plate, as he will take a .259 batting average into the home opener against the Chicago Cubs on Friday.
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