Where does Steven Kwan rank among baseball's best left fielders?

Chicago White Sox v Cleveland Guardians
Chicago White Sox v Cleveland Guardians / Jason Miller/GettyImages

Since making his debut in 2022, Cleveland Guardians outfielder Steven Kwan has been somewhat underappreciated on the national baseball landscape. Bursting onto the scene with an elite eye at the plate, in addition to an ability to make contact with the best of them, Kwan always found himself just outside the conversation of the game's best. It always seemed like they were acknowledging his existence but were keeping him an arm's length away from where he belonged while giving praise to others as quickly as they possibly could. That no longer appears to be the case.

When putting together his list of the best-left fielders in baseball right now, Bleacher Report's Joel Reuter has tabbed Kwan as the best in the game. This came as a surprise to plenty, as the comments on the below post from Twitter/X seemed to be a bit perplexed why Kwan is number one. But when taking his overall performance at the plate this season (.361/.415/.528 slash line and 167 OPS+), no one should be surprised to see Kwan take the top spot.

Kwan is a two-time Gold Glow Winner and is now staking his claim to be considered among baseball's elite. The defense is still there, obviously, but it is Kwan's newfound source of power in his hitting profile that appears to be the catalyst in his ascension on this list.

With nine home runs in 66 games, Kwan has already set a new career-best for a single season, and there is a good chance he could flirt with 20 by the time the regular season is over. A lot of the balls put into play by Kwan in previous seasons that would end up being doubles and even triples are now going over the wall, as he is becoming the well-rounded hitter that many imagined he could be.

The development of Kwan in real time this season has been a major factor in the Guardians' success in 2024. Having an elite on-base guy leading off every game is already an advantage, but now that he has a little more to offer than just singles and walks, every opponent Cleveland faces will fear the Wrath of Kwan each and every time he comes up. This ability is what ultimately propels someone like Kwan to the top of any list, regardless of position. Kwan has earned this title and his continued excellence at the plate should see him defend it for the foreseeable future.