Steven Kwan to Take Center Field Reps This Spring Training

This blog post unpacks Cleveland manager Stephen Vogt‘s idea to give Steven Kwan some center field time during spring training. The Guardians are still hunting for their ideal outfield mix for 2026.

Kwan’s already shown he’s a top-tier left fielder. If he can handle center, there’s a real chance for more offensive upside, and the winter roster shuffle adds another layer to how the club might build this year’s team.

Guardians Begin Center-Field Evaluation in Spring Training

The team’s putting Kwan in center during spring games, which is a big shift from his usual left-field spot. Vogt made it clear—this isn’t just a gimmick or a forced move; it’s about figuring out what works best for the Guardians’ lineup as a whole.

If Kwan proves he can patrol center, Cleveland suddenly has more freedom to tweak the rest of the roster. They might be able to get creative with the bats or shuffle players around in ways they couldn’t before.

Spring training is the perfect time for this kind of trial. There’s not much at stake, so the Guardians can really watch Kwan’s timing, his routes, and just how he reads the ball in center, which has been a bit of a revolving door for them lately.

They’re hoping to finally lock down a steady defender in the middle of the outfield, but they don’t want to lose the offense that comes with Kwan’s usual left-field play, either. It’s a tricky balance, honestly.

Steven Kwan: From Gold Glove Left Field to Center-Field Test

Kwan’s outfield numbers are wild. He’s played 4,873 2/3 innings out there, with 4,689 2/3 in left and only 31 in center—most of those in 2022.

In left, he’s piled up 68 Defensive Runs Saved and 25 Outs Above Average since 2022. That’s helped him grab four Gold Gloves and three Fielding Bible awards. He’s basically set the standard in left.

But can that same quickness and knack for reading the ball really translate to center against MLB hitters? That’s the big question right now.

Open Competition for Center Field

The Guardians have bounced through a lot of center fielders lately. Here are the names in the mix behind Kwan:

• Myles Straw
• Ángel Martínez
• Tyler Freeman
• Lane Thomas
• Daniel Schneemann
• Nolan Jones

That’s a pretty crowded list. It shows just how much Cleveland is still searching for a steady answer in center, especially if Kwan turns out to be the best fit.

If Kwan can anchor center, maybe the Guardians can chase more offense in other spots. They don’t want to give up any range in the outfield, though, so it’s a real balancing act.

Internal Prospects Behind Kwan in 2026

Looking past the veterans, the Guardians are banking on George Valera and Chase DeLauter to step up soon. Both guys got called up late in 2025, but neither has much center-field experience yet.

Valera played in 16 regular-season games and three postseason games last year, mostly in right and at DH. DeLauter debuted in the 2025 Wild Card round and only saw center in an emergency during the playoffs.

• Valera – Rookie outfield experience, mostly right, but postseason action hints at a flexible future.
• DeLauter – Broke in during 2025 and has

Both are still pretty raw in center. If Kwan holds down the job, maybe their development speeds up. Their flexibility could end up being a huge boost if the Guardians want to squeeze more offense onto the field without letting the defense slip.

Winter Strategy Shapes the Outfield and Lineup

Cleveland’s winter? Pretty quiet, honestly—at least in terms of free-agent moves. They barely spent beyond relievers Shawn Armstrong and Colin Holderman.

That restraint signals the Guardians trust their own guys to step up and shuffle around. If Kwan can handle center, maybe the team shifts money and at-bats to boost the offense elsewhere.

If Kwan struggles, though, center field keeps looking unsettled. Ángel Martínez or Daniel Schneemann might get a shot if they keep pushing for a breakthrough.

The DH spot could end up as a handy tool for juggling the lineup. First basemen Kyle Manzardo and C.J. Kayfus might split time, keeping the bats fresh and the outfield defense steady.

As spring rolls on, everyone’s watching to see how fast Kwan settles into center. The rest of the roster needs to mesh into something that actually works for 2026—no small task, honestly.

 
Here is the source article for this story: Steven Kwan To Get Center Field Reps In Spring Training