Guardians' Steven Kwan Looks to Regain Early Season Form

Cleveland's leadoff hitter has struggled with exit velocity and launch angle so far in 2026.

Apr. 13, 2026 at 3:27pm

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A fractured, multi-perspective painting in a cubist style, breaking down a baseball player's batting stance and swing into sharp, overlapping geometric planes in a palette of forest green, navy blue, and burnt orange, conceptually representing the complexities of maintaining consistent production at the plate.Kwan's early-season struggles with exit velocity and launch angle are deconstructed into a cubist painting, highlighting the complexities of maintaining consistent production at the plate.Cleveland Today

Cleveland Guardians outfielder Steven Kwan has gotten off to a slow start at the plate in the 2026 MLB season, hitting just .246 with a .671 OPS. Kwan's average exit velocity has dropped significantly from 86.2 mph last year to just 80.5 mph so far this season, and he's finding the optimal launch angle less often as well. The Guardians are hoping Kwan, their leadoff hitter, can get back to his usual production soon.

Why it matters

As the Guardians' leadoff hitter, Kwan is a key part of their offense. His ability to get on base and set the table for the middle of the order is crucial to the team's success. If Kwan continues to struggle, it could have a ripple effect throughout the Guardians' lineup.

The details

Kwan's average exit velocity has dropped from 86.2 mph last season to just 80.5 mph so far in 2026. He's also finding the optimal launch angle 39.7% of the time, down from 30.0% last year. Despite the drop in exit velocity and launch angle, Kwan is still making solid contact and not chasing many pitches out of the zone.

  • Kwan's numbers are through the first few weeks of the 2026 MLB season.
  • He was given Sunday night off to recharge against tough lefty Chris Sale.

The players

Steven Kwan

A 25-year-old outfielder for the Cleveland Guardians who emerged as their leadoff hitter in 2025 and is looking to regain his early-season form in 2026.

Chris Sale

A veteran left-handed pitcher for the Boston Red Sox who the Guardians faced on Sunday night.

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What they’re saying

“The Guardians don't want Kwan on the bench, though. They want him atop the lineup doing his thing. And to get back to his standard, there's some work to be done.”

— Billy Heyen, Author

What’s next

The Guardians will continue to monitor Kwan's progress at the plate and look for ways to get him back on track, including potentially giving him more rest days against tough pitching matchups.

The takeaway

Kwan's early-season struggles highlight the importance of consistent production from a team's leadoff hitter. The Guardians will need Kwan to regain his 2025 form if they want to maintain their success at the top of the lineup.