For the first time since he arrived in the majors, Steven Kwan will not be adding a Gold Glove to his trophy case. The Cleveland Guardians outfielder won the American League Gold Glove in left field every year from 2022 through 2025. This season, he spent a big chunk of his time in center field and was a finalist at that position for the first time. When the winners were announced on Sunday night, though, the honor went to Boston’s Ceddanne Rafaela.
“Steven Kwan’s remarkable Gold Glove streak ended at four consecutive seasons. Kwan, who won the AL award in left field every year from 2022 through 2025, was a finalist in center field this season but lost to Boston’s Ceddanne Rafaela. Kwan appeared in 98 games in left and 88 in center, combining for 17 defensive runs saved while adjusting to a new position. Rafaela finished with 21 defensive runs saved and 2.5 defensive wins above replacement,” Noga wrote.
There is no shame in losing out to Rafaela. Noga pointed out that the Red Sox center fielder finished with 21 defensive runs saved and 2.5 defensive WAR, a season that was tough to beat. Texas outfielder Evan Carter was the third finalist.
Kwan’s own numbers were still excellent, especially given how much his role changed. Stephen Vogt shuffled the outfield during the season and asked Kwan to take on center field, one of the most demanding positions on the diamond. Kwan appeared in 98 games in left field and 88 in center, and he combined for 17 defensive runs saved across both spots. He also made several highlight plays in October, including a pair of gems in Game 5 of the ALCS against Tampa Bay.
The streak had already put Kwan in rare company. His four straight Gold Gloves tied him with Kenny Lofton for the most consecutive wins by a Cleveland outfielder. A fifth would have moved him ahead of Lofton and left Omar Vizquel, with eight, as the only Cleveland player with more. Kwan is still only twenty nine, so he could easily add to his total down the road.
The Guardians still came away with one winner. Tanner Bibee won the AL Gold Glove at pitcher, the first of his career and Cleveland’s first at the position since Shane Bieber in 2022. That left Bibee as the club’s only Gold Glove winner this year, a rare outcome for a team that has made defense one of its trademarks.
Missing out on the award will not change how the Guardians view Kwan. He moved to a new position without complaint, played it well and helped Cleveland win a third straight division title. Whether he spends 2027 in left, in center or in another uniform, his glove will remain a major asset.
NEXT: Tanner Bibee Wins Major MLB Award
