The Cleveland Guardians’ experiment with Steven Kwan in center field is going about as well as can be expected. The veteran has shown he is comfortable enough playing a new position, even though he may not be as smooth as he is as a four-time Gold Glove left fielder.
During his nine spring training games, he has handled 11 total chances in the outfield without an error, and he has one assist. His offense has not suffered, either, with a familiar .286 batting average and a surprising 1.067 OPS that includes two home runs. Yet, questions have started to arise about the potential downside of the switch.
Manager Stephen Vogt recently shut down concerns about Kwan’s potential position change and called him “one of the best outfielders on the planet.”
“I think it’s been good. I think every time he’s gotten a tester, the next time he gets it, he’s making the play. Playing the outfield in Arizona is probably the toughest place to play the outfield. But this is one of the best outfielders on the planet, and he’s going to make the adjustments every time he gets a ball hit over his head,” Vogt said. “We’re just trying to get him as many reps in center field to see how this shakes out. Depending on how the roster shakes out, ‘Kwanie’ could get some looks in center. We could throw him right back into left field tomorrow and he’ll be ready to rock.”
More than halfway through the spring training schedule, Vogt is still trying to figure out the best outfield alignment, taking into account both offense and defense. Kwan was asked to try the move because it could help prospects Chase DeLauter and George Valera better adjust to their first full MLB seasons by playing the less-demanding corner spots.
Also, without a prototypical center fielder on the roster, and Kwan being one of the top defensive players in the game, it makes sense to put the best glove in center field. However, learning a new position in the major leagues is never easy, no matter how good someone is elsewhere on the diamond.
There is also some worry about what the wear and tear of playing center field will do to Kwan’s offense as the season moves along. In the past two years, his production has dropped after the opening two months, and it could fall even further with increased fatigue or nagging injuries.
Yet it should be noted that Vogt has not committed to anything. When speaking to the media, he is very clear about the possibility of Kwan remaining in left field if the experiment doesn’t work out.
So, the concerns may prove unfounded, either because Kwan can handle center field or because the status quo returns.
NEXT: Guardians Reliever Could Sneak Onto Opening Day Roster
