Cleveland Guardians outfielder Steven Kwan is an All-Star.
However, because he doesn’t usually hit home runs, he is probably one of the game’s most underrated stars.
Kwan does it all on the field: he is a three-time Gold Glover, can steal bases, has a lifetime .285 batting average and a .359 OBP, and gives everything he has in every game.
His power output in his first two seasons combined was just 11, though.
In 2024, however, he hit 14.
What changed? Was it luck? Or was there a concerted effort to hit for more power?
He found inspiration in one teammate with a similar build.
“It was the Jose Ramirez effect, getting the ball in the air. He does such a good job of getting his pitches, pulling in the air, keeping everything tight (…) Because we have kind of a similar stature, (although he is) probably a little stronger than I am. But, I mean, he puts up consistent power numbers all time, and the last offseason before 2024 I was kind of telling myself, like, you know, why is he able to do that?” Kwan said in a chat with MLB Network analysts.
Steven Kwan is one of the game's elite contact hitters, but in 2024 he more than doubled his career-high home run total (in only 122 games!) 💪
The @CleGuardians' All-Star left fielder breaks down how he was able to generate more power.
MLB Network + @TMobile pic.twitter.com/0kEC4isRMM
— MLB Network (@MLBNetwork) March 13, 2025
It’s all, as he says, a timing mechanism.
“It’s more of a leg lift, a timing mechanism, than a power thing. You always see me kind of before I’d get up, and then I would kind of just put it (the lead leg) right back down. So then my hands are able to work, and I can kind of manipulate the bat as I need to. But last year I tried to really get that stride out. And now I’m going out to get it. I can stay with the legs, and then now I can stay sliding, catch it out (the ball) a little more in front,” he explained.
This approach sacrifices a bit of contact, because, as Kwan says, he is not as prepared to manipulate the bat as he pleases.
However, by reaching for the ball a little bit further and applying more lower-body power, his home run output improved.
Kwan is really a master of his craft and makes the most out of the tools and resources that his body gives him.
NEXT: Guardians Insider Provides Updates On 3 Injured Pitchers
