5 Cleveland Guardians that must improve with Steven Kwan out of the lineup

Brayan Rocchio

One of only two full-time players who will appear on this list, the Cleveland Guardians need more offensive production from starting shortstop Brayan Rocchio. 

Rocchio has been very pedestrian at the plate for the most part, slashing .223/.319/.343 through 155 plate appearances. There is one area that pretty much anyone who follows the Guardians would find surprising about Rocchio's offensive output so far, and that would be leading the team in doubles with eight. Not many people associate Rocchio with extra-base hits, but being able to get doubles production out of someone who usually hits singles is a nice bonus. While a good amount of these two-baggers are of the hustle variety and not hit deep into the gap, managing to take that extra base has proven incredibly valuable. 

Some more production will be needed from Rocchiogoing forward if he is going to help make up for the loss of Kwan, as well as establish himself as the Guardians shortstop moving forward. There is a reason to believe that Rocchio could provide average production at the bottom of Clevland's lineup, helping set the table for the top of the order. Reaching base nearly one-third of the time is a good start, but being able to collect a few more hits would be a huge difference-maker, considering the absence of Kwan in the leadoff spot.