CLEVELAND, Ohio — Guardians outfielder Steven Kwan is golden once again.
Kwan was recognized Sunday with a Gold Glove Award for the fourth straight season, emblematic of the American League’s top defensive player in left field. Kwan tied franchise legend Kenny Lofton for the most Gold Glove Awards by a Cleveland outfielder.
He joins Lofton as the only Cleveland outfielders to win the honor in four consecutive seasons. Omar Vizquel (8) is the franchise’s all-time Gold Glove leader.
Kwan paced all left fielders with 22 defensive runs saved, tying former Guardians infielder Ernie Clement for the most DRS in baseball. The 28-year-old California native also posted a +6 outs above average in left and led the majors with seven outfield arm runs saved.
Kwan led all major league left fielders with a fielding run value of +12. Cleveland led all of baseball with 35 outfield assists as a team, bolstered by Kwan’s major-league leading 13. Since his debut in 2022, Kwan ranks second among MLB defenders with 68 defensive runs saved, trailing only Cincinnati’s Ke’Bryan Hayes (75).
Last month, he was named the top overall defender in left field according to FieldingBible.com for the third time in his career.
Guardians All-Star third baseman José Ramírez was also among the AL finalists, but was again denied one of the few awards that has eluded him throughout his career. Ramírez has never taken home a Gold Glove, having been named a finalist seven times (2021-25, 2018 and 2017).
Daniel Schneemann, who appeared at six different positions for Cleveland and committed just two errors in 342 chances, was denied in the utility player category. Schneemann ranked fourth on the club with eight DRS and was third behind Kwan and Ramírez with six Air, Range and Throwing Runs Saved according to Fielding Bible.
First baseman Carlos Santana, who appeared in 116 games before being released by the Guardians on Aug. 29, was a finalist again after winning his first career Gold Glove Award in 2024. Santana posted +8 outs above average at first, but the award went to Vladimir Guerrero Jr., for the second time in his career (2022).
Voting by all 30 managers and up to six coaches from each team took place prior to the end of the regular season. Those ballots made up 75% of a player’s total, with the other 25% coming from the SABR Defensive Index.
The Platinum Glove Award, emblematic of the best overall defender in the American and National leagues, will be presented at the Gold Glove Award ceremony in New York on Nov. 7. Online voting for the Platinum awards is now open at rawlings.com and will continue through 11:59 p.m. on Thursday.
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