These 4 Guardians hitters need to get back on track for the stretch run

The Cleveland Guardians may have been able to reclaim the top spot in the American League Central by avoiding a four-game sweep at the hands of the Kansas City Royals. Still, not everything is well on the corner of Carnegie and Ontario. Some performances at the plate have been very concerning and are in immediate need of improvement if they will retain their spot atop the division and go on an extended postseason run. The following four players must get things right before it is too late.

1. David Fry

Of the players appearing on this list, David Fry was the one with the least amount of expectations coming into the season. A hot start and a subsequent All-Star appearance changed that, as the 28-year-old versatile utility man proved he was capable of being a complementary bat in the lineup.

Fry's slash line has plummeted in the second half, going from .279/.388/,466 to .220/.297/.400. Additionally, Fry only has seven extra-base hits (five home runs, one double, and one triple) in 33 games compared to 22 in 73 (14 doubles and eight home runs).

Now, nobody should expect him to be an everyday force in the lineup, as his performance at the plate has mostly indicated that is not in his hitting profile, but being a productive player in a supporting role would be more than fine. If Fry can find some way to reach the middle ground between his first and second-half performance while also being able to increase his extra-base hit frequency, the outlook for the rest of the season and postseason would look a lot better.

2. Steven Kwan

There was once a time not too long ago that it appeared that Cleveland Guardians outfielder Steven Kwan would not only compete for the American League batting title but also be the recipient of some MVP votes, nothing too high but perhaps be a fringe Top-10 guy. That has since gone by the wayside with his performance in the season's second half.

Kwan has largely struggled since the All-Star Break, slashing just .205/.286/.305 with four home runs to go with one double and triple in 39 games. This is a far cry from his early season performance that made it look like he was going to at least flirt with 20 home runs and be someone that makes it much more difficult for opposing pitchers to navigate the top of Cleveland's lineup. Unfortunately, that has not been the case, with Kwan's performance at the plate being significantly lower than what he has proven capable of.

If Kwan can get back on track, it will give whoever bats second, in addition to Jose Ramirez, the chance to bat with someone on base, and that makes a huge difference. Instead of pitching around key bats later in the lineup, pitchers will be forced to pitch to them, and that will result in a lot more damage being done at the top of the lineup. Kwan is truly the person all of their potential future success hinges on, and his ability to be that difference-maker batting first will dictate how the rest of this season plays out.

3. Andres Gimenez

It has been a rollercoaster of a year for Andres Gimenez at the plate. Cleveland's Platinum Glove-winning second baseman started off the year hot, completely bottomed out in June, and has since recovered for the most part. Gimenez's batting average and on-base percentage are relatively the same, being .252 and .304 in the first half and .244/.296 in the second, but there is one area in particular in need of improvement. Extra-base hits.

In the first half of the season, Gimenez collected 18 extra-base hits, with 13 doubles, five home runs, and one triple. Since then, only five have been registered, all doubles. Gimenez is not expected to be a middle-of-the-order slugger by any means, but having better production from this area would make a world of difference here.

No one is hoping for or even expecting Gimenez to go on some home run binge, but if he were able to knock a few over the wall while also collecting two baggers it would go a long way to lengthen the Guardians lineup. Being able to have someone else who is regularly capable of hitting a ball for more than a single base down in the order can be the difference between simply making the postseason and advancing.