Steven Kwan’s mission goes way beyond the Cleveland Guardians.
It even transcends him.
He’s not out there just for the love of the game or the money. He wants to be a role model.
Asked about his true motivation, the All-Star outfielder opened up about his desire to keep opening doors.
“I think a big reason is I want to play for a lot of Asian-Americans in baseball. When I was growing up, there was a really small amount of those Asian-Americans in the big leagues. There’s a big wave now. If I can contribute to that in any way possible, I think that’s my why,” Kwan said, via MLB.
Steven Kwan isn't just a baseball player. He's a role model. ❤️#PlayersWeekend pic.twitter.com/jMFPqZzusW
— MLB (@MLB) August 6, 2025
Kwan, who was born in California, is of Japanese and Chinese descent.
His mother’s family is from Yamagata Prefecture, Japan, and his father’s family comes from Guangzhou, China.
Kwan almost suited up for Japan at the 2023 World Baseball Classic, but he couldn’t due to problems with his eligibility.
Even so, he admitted that he was looking forward to playing for Japan at some point in the future.
Kwan has established himself as one of the best players in the game.
There were rumors about a potential trade at the deadline, as multiple teams were keeping tabs on him and he had yet to get a contract extension from the Guardians.
That could be at the top of the team’s priority list this offseason.
He’s under team control through the 2027 season, so there’s no big need to move him.
Instead, the organization needs to figure out a way to keep him for the long run.
Kwan is a class act on and off the field, a fan favorite, and one of the few bright spots in this up-and-down season.
He knows he’s playing for much more than himself.
NEXT: Guardians' Star Prospect Stays Hot In Double-A
