Last week, Cleveland Guardians insider Zack Meisel reported that All-Star outfielder Steven Kwan would play some center field this spring. Kwan, the winner of four Gold Glove awards in four seasons in left field, would probably do an adequate job in the middle and help the team maximize offense with the corner spots.
According to Meisel, the experiment will officially start on Wednesday.
“Steven Kwan will make his CF debut this afternoon,” he wrote on his X account.
Steven Kwan will make his CF debut this afternoon. https://t.co/MSuYf1DhTg
— Zack Meisel (@ZackMeisel) February 25, 2026
Manager Stephen Vogt already revealed that Kwan will rotate between left and center. Kwan had an incredible 22 Defensive Runs Saved (DRS) in left field last year, with five Outs Above Average (OAA).
Those are elite defensive metrics, but the eye test, in this case, doesn’t lie: Guardians fans are used to watching Kwan make perfect reads and run flawless routes in left. Center field is harder than the corners for obvious reasons: there is much more ground to cover, and the player would need an adjustment period as he gets used to new angles, additional responsibilities, and more active communication with both corner outfielders.
If there’s someone on the Guardians’ current roster with the athleticism, smarts, and skills to be an above-average defensive center fielder and a solid hitter, that’s Kwan. Angel Martinez doesn’t appear to have the bat to play every day, and Chase DeLauter, while capable of playing in center, is best suited for right field.
Unless the Guardians acquire a starting center fielder at this point, having Kwan become more familiar with the position and play him there on occasion would be in Cleveland’s best interest. Wednesday’s game against the Texas Rangers will give Guardians’ coaches and instructors a better idea of Kwan’s ability to handle the most challenging position in the outfield.
He is not a total stranger to it, having played 30 innings there in 2022 and one in 2025. That sample is not big enough to draw any conclusions, so we will all have to wait and see how he fares.
It might take a little while, but there is no reason to think Kwan can’t handle center field.
NEXT: Stephen Vogt Reveals Guardians' Plans For Outfielders
