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MLB
Guardians keep leading Steven Kwan off, but the numbers say it's time for change
TL;DR
Cleveland Guardians' leadoff hitter Steven Kwan continues to struggle with getting on base, raising questions about his role. The team's performance metrics suggest it may be time for a change in the leadoff position.
Key points
- Cleveland Guardians' leadoff hitter Steven Kwan is struggling.
- Kwan's performance metrics show a decline this season.
- Management is considering changes to the leadoff position.
Cleveland GuardiansSteven Kwan
Guardians keep leading Steven Kwan off, but the numbers say it's time for change originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
A leadoff hitter's primary objective is to get on base.
Even last season, Cleveland Guardians leadoff man Steven Kwan struggled with that more than he had in the rest of his career.
And this season? Oof, it hasn't been pretty.
Kwan keeps leading off, but it might be time for a change.
This stat from former TV broadcaster Bryan Shaw (not former Cleveland reliever Bryan Shaw) sums it up:
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There's a lot of ways to do this, though. Kwan's career-low on-base percentage was the .330 he had last year. So far this season, he's at just .304.
Kwan's OPS was a career-low .705 last year. It's down at .573 so far this season.
He doesn't hit for much pop, and now he's not even getting the singles or walks it takes to be successful in that spot.
Sure, Kwan is still making a lot of contact. But a declining bat speed has been reflected in pretty much all of his other metrics.
Q&A
What are Steven Kwan's current performance numbers for the Guardians?
Steven Kwan's performance numbers this season indicate a significant struggle in getting on base compared to previous seasons.
Why is the Guardians' management considering a change in the leadoff hitter position?
The management is considering a change due to Kwan's ongoing struggles, which are impacting the team's offensive effectiveness.
How has Steven Kwan performed as a leadoff hitter in previous seasons?
In previous seasons, Kwan performed better than this season, making his current struggles more concerning for the Guardians.
