Steven Kwan

Steven Robert Kwan Bio

Steven Robert Kwan is an American professional baseball left fielder for the Cleveland Guardians of Major League Baseball (MLB). He made his MLB debut in 2022 after playing three years of college baseball at Oregon State University, where he helped lead the Beavers to a national championship in the 2018 College World Series. Kwan was selected by the Guardians in the fifth round of the 2018 MLB draft. He quickly became part of the starting lineup and earned a Gold Glove Award for his defense. A two-time MLB All-Star, Kwan has also been recognized for his impressive batting skills, helping contribute significantly to his team’s success.

Early Life and Background

Steven Robert Kwan was born on September 5, 1997, in Los Gatos, California. He grew up in Fremont, California, where he attended Washington High School. As a senior in 2015, Kwan impressed at the plate, batting .462. He grew up a San Francisco Giants fan and was nearly recruited to play for the Japanese national baseball team in the 2023 World Baseball Classic, though he was found to be ineligible for that competition. Kwan is of Chinese and Japanese descent, with paternal grandparents from Guangzhou, China, and maternal grandparents from Yamagata Prefecture, Japan.

High School and College Career

After graduating from Washington High School in Fremont, California, Kwan enrolled at Oregon State University, where he played college baseball for the Beavers from 2016 to 2018. As a freshman in 2016, he appeared in 35 games and hit .215. He later reflected that as a freshman, he did not feel he belonged at Oregon State among their high-profile recruits. He sat out two months of the season and worked with a sports psychologist to address his struggles.

His performance improved significantly in 2017 as a sophomore, when he appeared in 55 games, making 42 starts, and batted .331 with one home run, 18 RBIs, six doubles, and eight stolen bases. After the 2017 season, he played collegiate summer baseball with the Wareham Gatemen of the Cape Cod Baseball League. As a junior in 2018, Kwan played in 66 games and hit .355/.463/.457 with two home runs, 41 RBIs, and 14 stolen bases. He batted leadoff ahead of Nick Madrigal, Trevor Larnach, and Adley Rutschman, helping lead the Beavers to a national championship in the College World Series.

Steven Robert Kwan Career

Minor League Career (2018–2021)

Kwan signed with the Cleveland Indians organization and made his professional debut with the Arizona League Indians. He was later promoted to the Mahoning Valley Scrappers, hitting a combined .346 over 17 games between the two clubs. In 2019, he played with the Lynchburg Hillcats, batting .280 with three home runs, 39 RBIs, and 26 doubles over 123 games. He did not play in 2020 due to the cancellation of the minor league season caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Kwan began the 2021 season with the Akron RubberDucks and was promoted to the Columbus Clippers in late August. He missed six weeks during the season due to a strained right hamstring. Over 77 games between the two clubs, Kwan slashed .328/.407/.527 with 12 home runs and 44 RBIs. The newly named Cleveland Guardians selected Kwan to their 40-man roster on November 19, 2021.

MLB Breakthrough (2022)

On April 2, 2022, the Guardians announced that Kwan had been named to the Opening Day roster. He made his MLB debut on Opening Day as the starting right fielder on April 7, and recorded his first major league hit off Kansas City Royals reliever Scott Barlow. After making his debut, he became just the sixth player since at least 1901 to have a five-hit game within his first three major league games. He also became the first player since at least 1901 to reach base safely 15 times in his first four games. He saw 116 pitches before he swung and missed, the most for any batter to start his career since 2000.

Kwan was named American League Rookie of the Month for April and September 2022. He hit his first major league home run on May 5 off of José Berríos. On September 25, Kwan hit his first career grand slam off of Joe Barlow of the Texas Rangers. He batted .298/.373/.400 with six home runs, 52 RBIs, 19 stolen bases, and 25 doubles alongside 62 walks and 60 strikeouts over 147 games. Kwan had the lowest percentage of hard-hit balls in the majors at 18.9 percent and the highest called-strike percentage in the majors at 24.5 percent. His 62 walks compared to 60 strikeouts made him the first rookie to record more walks than strikeouts since Dustin Pedroia in 2007. On defense, Kwan was awarded the American League’s left field Gold Glove Award. He was named a finalist for the American League Rookie of the Year Award.

Establishing Himself (2023–2025)

In 2023, Kwan had the lowest strikeout percentage in the American League at 10.4 percent and the lowest maximum exit velocity at 105.2 mph, while batting .268/.340/.370 with five home runs, 54 RBIs, and 21 stolen bases. He won his second consecutive Gold Glove Award for American League left fielders. In 2024, Kwan batted .292/.368/.425 with 14 home runs and 83 RBIs. He was selected as an All-Star for the first time in his career and also won his third consecutive Gold Glove Award for American League left fielders.

In 2025, Kwan batted .272/.330/.374 with 11 home runs, 56 RBIs, and 21 stolen bases. He earned his second consecutive All-Star selection and won his fourth consecutive Gold Glove Award for American League left fielders, cementing his reputation as one of the premier defensive outfielders in baseball. In February 2025, Kwan married Samantha Moy in a courthouse wedding.

Defensive Excellence and Playing Style

Kwan is known for his exceptional defensive skills in left field, earning Gold Glove honors in each of his first four major league seasons. His ability to track down fly balls and make difficult catches has made him a cornerstone of the Guardians’ outfield defense. Offensively, he excels at plate discipline, consistently drawing more walks than strikeouts and making hard contact rather than swinging at pitches outside the strike zone. His low strikeout rate and ability to work counts have made him a reliable table-setter at the top of the lineup.

Notable Events and Milestones

Several statistical achievements highlight Kwan’s career thus far. His historic start to his MLB career saw him become just the sixth player since 1901 to have a five-hit game within his first three major league games and the first player since 1901 to reach base safely 15 times in his first four games. His rookie season saw him become the first player since Dustin Pedroia in 2007 to record more walks than strikeouts as a rookie. His consistent Gold Glove selections have established him as one of the best defensive outfielders in the American League.

Steven Robert Kwan Career Statistics

Through June 28, 2026, Kwan has established himself as a reliable major league contributor across four-plus seasons with the Cleveland Guardians. His career statistics reflect his all-around contributions both offensively and defensively.

Major League Highlights

Kwan made an immediate impact upon reaching the majors in 2022, earning American League Rookie of the Month honors twice and finishing as a finalist for AL Rookie of the Year. His consistent offensive production and elite defense have made him a fixture in the Guardians’ lineup. His career batting average of .274 reflects his ability to make contact and get on base. With 37 career home runs and 219 RBIs through June 2026, he has shown power to all fields while maintaining his selective approach at the plate.

Defensive Accolades

Kwan’s defensive excellence is highlighted by his four consecutive Gold Glove Awards from 2022 through 2025, all won while playing left field for the Cleveland Guardians. His 76 career stolen bases demonstrate his speed on the bases and ability to contribute in multiple facets of the game. He has appeared in over 500 major league games across his career, consistently providing value through his defensive prowess, plate discipline, and baserunning.

Steven Robert Kwan Family

Family Background and Heritage

Kwan comes from a diverse background with strong ties to both Chinese and Japanese heritage. His paternal grandparents are originally from Guangzhou, China, while his maternal grandparents are from Yamagata Prefecture, Japan. This multicultural heritage has been an important part of his identity throughout his life and baseball career. He was nearly recruited to play for the Japanese national baseball team in the 2023 World Baseball Classic, demonstrating the international appeal of his baseball abilities. In 2024, he expressed his continued interest in playing for Japan in future international competitions.

Personal Life

Kwan married Samantha Moy in February 2025 in a courthouse wedding ceremony. The couple had been in a relationship prior to their marriage. Kwan grew up in the San Francisco Bay Area as a fan of the San Francisco Giants, which shaped his early passion for baseball. He continues to play an active role in the community and represents the Guardians with pride both on and off the field.

2025 Season Performance

The 2025 season marked another strong year for Kwan as he continued to be a key contributor for the Cleveland Guardians. He batted .272/.330/.374 with 11 home runs and 56 RBIs while stealing 21 bases. His consistent offensive production and exceptional defense helped keep the Guardians competitive in the American League Central division throughout the season. His ability to get on base and create scoring opportunities remained a valuable asset in the Guardians’ lineup.

Kwan earned his second consecutive All-Star selection, representing the Guardians at the midsummer classic. He also won his fourth consecutive Gold Glove Award, further solidifying his status as one of the premier defensive outfielders in baseball. His partnership with the Guardians’ coaching staff and consistent work ethic have allowed him to maintain his high level of play throughout the season.

Looking ahead, Kwan remains a foundational piece of the Guardians’ future plans. His combination of defensive excellence, plate discipline, and baserunning ability makes him a valuable asset for years to come. As he continues to develop his power numbers while maintaining his contact skills, he positions himself as a potential MVP candidate in future seasons.