Steven Kwan is one of the best left fielders in baseball both with the bat and the glove, and his presence atop this lineup and on defense is one of the few constants these fans can hang their hats on going into the 2026 season. After Angel Martinez, Nolan Jones, Lane Thomas, and Jhonkensy Noel struggled so mightily at the other two outfield spots in 2025, this team is heading into 2026 with Kwan as the only reliable member of this outfield, so there is a lot to figure out in Spring Training.
Youngsters and breakout candidates Chase DeLauter and George Valera will be heavily relied upon to step up and assume bigger roles in this outfield, but the unit as a whole is still a big question mark. Because of the uncertainty, Kwan will now reportedly take on a slightly different role in Spring Training to give the team more versatility in the regular season.
The Athletic’s Zack Meisel shared on X recently that Kwan might not only be seen in left field this season. He posted that Kwan will see some time in center field this spring as the team continues to explore what its best outfield alignment might be.
“New development: Steven Kwan will play some center field this spring, as the Guardians try to sort out their best outfield alignment. Kwan has won four Gold Glove awards in four seasons in left field,” Meisel posted on X.
New development: Steven Kwan will play some center field this spring, as the Guardians try to sort out their best outfield alignment. Kwan has won four Gold Glove awards in four seasons in left field.
— Zack Meisel (@ZackMeisel) February 19, 2026
Moving the guy who has won four straight Gold Gloves at his position is risky, but there shouldn’t be much doubt that Kwan could handle center field if need be. It’s the most defensive position in the outfield, so if Stephen Vogt feels it makes the most sense to have his best defensive outfielder in that spot, that’s a call he has to make before Opening Day.
Kwan seeing time in center would allow DeLauter to shift over to left, which would likely take some pressure off of him as he readies for his regular season debut. Of course nothing is set in stone yet, but this is an interesting development to hear in the middle of February.
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