GOODYEAR, Ariz. — How’s this for a mid-February surprise? Guardians manager Stephen Vogt said left fielder Steven Kwan will also see time in center this spring, as the club determines whether the 28-year-old could be an option there this season.
Kwan is a four-time Gold Glove Award winner in left field, having earned the honor in each of his four big league seasons. He’s tied with Kenny Lofton for the most Gold Gloves by an outfielder in franchise history.
“We’ve talked about it a few times, just with how we’re comprised,” Vogt said Thursday. “Like, ‘Hey, there might be a time you need to go to center.’ But he’s expressed interest in playing center at times too.
“We’re going to give it some looks this spring and see if that’s what our best outfield looks like. He’s wanting and willing to do it.”
Kwan has seen limited time in center in the Majors (31 innings over eight games), but played there extensively in the Minors (1272 2/3 innings over 152 games). This isn’t uncharted water for him, though his status in left has been one of the few certainties on a Guardians roster that has many players competing for spots this spring.
But the ability to slide Kwan to center on occasion could make a lot of sense for the Guardians. It could afford them the ability to play their best offensive combination out there more frequently. What the Guardians must weigh is whether that’s worth sacrificing his elite defense in left.
Since 2022, Kwan ranks first in the Majors in Outs Above Average (29) among left fielders. His Gold Glove streak to start his career is the third longest in MLB history, per the Elias Sports Bureau, behind only Ichiro Suzuki and Nolan Arenado (11).
“There’s nothing in stone that he’s going to play center field,” Vogt said. “It’s just we’re going to get him some games in center field.”
Let’s consider the offensive impact if this carries over to the regular season. The Guardians have myriad outfield options in camp, including up-and-comers Chase DeLauter (Cleveland’s No. 2 prospect, No. 46 overall, per MLB Pipeline), George Valera and CJ Kayfus. Kwan in center would afford Vogt flexibility to start two of those players in the outfield simultaneously, which could elevate a group that struggled last season.
Cleveland ranked last in the Majors in outfield OPS in 2025 (.629). Guardians center fielders hit .199 with a .574 OPS (both last in MLB), and their right fielders hit .202 (29th) with a .605 OPS (last). The young guys could help.
Valera and Kayfus (who also plays first base) are corner outfielders. DeLauter has played more right (61 appearances) in the Minors than center (33), where he started in Games 2 and 3 of the AL Wild Card Series last year. The 24-year-old is going to play both positions in the Cactus League, but given his physical history, it could make sense to be mindful of his workload in center.
The Guardians’ other center-field options include Nolan Jones, Angel Martínez and non-roster invitee Stuart Fairchild (who plays all three spots). So, this would not be a matter of Kwan moving to center field full time, but giving Vogt additional lineup flexibility to maximize his offense.
Cleveland ranked 28th in the Majors in runs per game (3.97) in 2025.
The physical element is another factor the Guardians will weigh this spring. Kwan missed about four weeks in 2024 with a left hamstring strain. Center field can exact a larger toll physically than left given the extra running involved.
“He’s always working,” Vogt said of Kwan. “His legs are ready, and he’s been working with [outfield and baserunning coach JT Maguire] on some center field stuff since he’s been here. … But his legs are ready to play center field.”
