If MLB handed Division Series MVP awards – they start in the AL Championship Series – the Cleveland Guardians would have several candidates.
They could go with Lane Thomas, whose power led not one, but two Guardians victories over the Detroit Tigers.
They could go with Cade Smith and his 12 strikeouts.
Leadoff hitter Steven Kwan, however, would be as good of a choice as any other Guardians player.
The guy hit .524 with a 1.136 OPS in the five-game Division Series against Detroit, and was constantly on base for the Guardians.
He stole a base and accumulated six runs scored and a whopping 11 hits.
Those numbers are good enough to join Hall of Fame designated hitter Edgar Martinez in an exclusive Division Series club.
“Steven Kwan (2024) and Edgar Martinez (1995) are the only players in 31 seasons of MLB Division Series play to tally 11+ hits & 6+ runs in a single ALDS/NLDS. No Clevelander had tallied 11+ hits & 6+ runs in ANY Postseason series before Kwan,” Guardians stats expert Luke Potosky posted on X.
Steven Kwan (2024) and Edgar Martinez (1995) are the only players in 31 seasons of MLB Division Series play to tally 11+ hits & 6+ runs in a single ALDS/NLDS.
No Clevelander had tallied 11+ hits & 6+ runs in ANY Postseason series before Kwan.#GuardsBall | @CleGuardians pic.twitter.com/IpJoRsMLuX
— Luke Potosky (@LukePotosky) October 13, 2024
Not only he joined Martinez, one of the best pure hitters the game has seen in the last 35 years, but he became the only Guardian to accumulate at least 11 hits and six runs scored in any playoffs series, including best-of-seven Championship Series and World Series.
Kwan flat-out dominated the competition and will represent a serious threat to the New York Yankees in the ALCS that starts on Monday.
With him on the bases constantly, Cleveland’s run-scoring chances increase dramatically.
The Gold Glove left fielder doesn’t only impact the game on defense or on the basepaths: he is also a top-notch leadoff hitter and the numbers prove it.
NEXT: Man Who Caught Lane Thomas' Grand Slam Reveals What He Did With Ball
