The Cleveland Guardians are just sitting back, waiting to find out who their ALDS opponent will be. They’re gearing up to face whoever wins that Wild Card Series between the Houston Astros and the Chicago White Sox, and all eyes are naturally on seven-time All-Star third baseman Jose Ramirez. Everyone knows Ramirez is the absolute backbone of their offense, and he’s chasing that first World Series title, no doubt about it. But listen up, because for them to go deep, Ramirez is gonna need some serious help, and we might have a dark horse for World Series MVP.
Jose Ramirez: The Heartbeat, But Not The Only Option
Yeah, Ramirez is the guy. He’s been carrying that Guardians offense for years, a certified legend for them. You expect him to be the one shining brightest if they make a run, right? But what if he isn’t the guy who snags the World Series MVP? ESPN’s David Schoenfield just dropped a name that’ll make you double take: Steven Kwan.
Steven Kwan: The Ignitor Nobody Is Ready For
Schoenfield calls Kwan an MVP “in the mold of Jeremy Pena in 2022 or David Eckstein in 2006, more of an ignitor than a slugger.” Think about that for a second. Kwan had a terrible first three months of the season, a real slump, but since the beginning of July, he leads all of MLB in on-base percentage! That’s insane. Schoenfield isn’t messing around either, saying, “If he’s getting on base and scoring runs, the Guardians can shock the world.” Kwan’s game is all about contact, not power; he usually cranks fewer than 10 dingers in a full 162-game season. But he’s got a ridiculous .382 on-base percentage, and if the bottom of that order can get on base ahead of him, this two-time All-Star and four-time Gold Glove winner will have so many chances to drive in runs. This isn’t just a hunch, folks, this is a path to MVP for a guy who was struggling early on. Watch him ignite that lineup!
So, the Guardians are still on deck to see who they play. But as they wait, don’t just fixate on Ramirez. Keep a serious eye on Steven Kwan. If he keeps getting on base like he has since July, he could be the unexpected hero who helps them go all the way.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by The Sporting News.
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