For nearly a month, Steven Kwan has not been performing at the level that fans and analysts have come to expect from him. Not too long ago, discussions were swirling about the possibility of Kwan, the leadoff hitter for the Cleveland Guardians, achieving a .400 batting average for the season.
By mid-June, he had actually reached that impressive milestone. However, his performance has since taken a downturn. Currently, Kwan’s batting average for the season has slipped below .300, and his post-All-Star Break numbers are even more concerning. He is hitting just .197 with a batting average on balls in play (BABIP) of .198.
In light of Kwan’s recent struggles, Guardians’ manager Stephen Vogt has shared his insights into what might be causing the slump and how it contrasts with Kwan’s earlier season form. According to Vogt, Kwan’s difficulties may be linked to timing issues and changes in pitch selection.
He noted that Kwan is being approached differently by opposing pitchers compared to before. “For Kwan, a lot of it is maybe a little bit of timing and pitch selection,” Vogt explained. “He’s getting pitched differently than he has. I think teams aren’t just going right after him; they’re pitching to him. For any hitter that’s going through a bit of a down swing, you’re going to try and do more, you’re going to try and combat.”
Vogt’s observation is supported by the data. Since the All-Star Break, Kwan has faced a significantly different pitching approach. Opponents have increasingly relied on a combination of fastballs and changeups while reducing the number of curveballs they throw to him. This shift in strategy has clearly impacted Kwan’s performance.
Given this information, what steps can Kwan take to overcome his current slump? Vogt has a straightforward strategy in mind: patience and maintaining his approach. He emphasized the importance of Kwan staying true to his strengths and not trying to overcompensate. “Just for Kwan to keep being himself. He’s one of the best hitters in this league. Still is. I think, for me, it’s just getting back to being yourself. Get on time for that fastball and take what the pitcher gives you, which is what he’s done all year.”
By focusing on his core skills and being patient, Kwan can hopefully return to his previous form. Vogt’s advice underscores the need for Kwan to rely on his natural abilities and resist the urge to force outcomes, which can often exacerbate performance issues. With this approach, Kwan may find his rhythm again and start contributing at the high level that characterized the early part of his season.
