Steven Kwan's Hot July: Is the Fantasy Turnaround Real?

Thanks to the mechanical shift, Kwan has hit safely in 17 of his last 20 games. His opposite field hit rate jumped from 27.9% in June to 43.2% in July, his line drive rate rose to 45.7%, and his fly-ball rate dropped to 17.1%, per MLB.com. FanGraphs adds that his BABIP jumped from .250 in June to .447 in July, and his wRC+ skyrocketed from 57 to 208 over that same span.

His Statcast profile, however, paints a less black-and-white picture of the July turnaround.

Kwan’s approach is still elite. His strikeout rate (9.5%), walk rate (13.2%), chase rate (21.4%), whiff rate (8.5%), and square-up rate (42.0%) are all in the 90th percentile or better. However, his hard-hit rate (9.4%), barrel rate (0.3%), bat speed (62.7 mph), and average exit velocity (83.3 mph) are all in the first percentile.

Long story short: Kwan’s contact skill is paying off, but there’s no power surge behind it. He isn’t hitting the ball harder. He’s just placing the bat better when he takes cuts.

Steven Kwan’s Leadoff Return: What It Means for Fantasy Value

Vogt framed Kwan’s return to leadoff hitter on July 19 as a team call. “Kwan has been swinging the bat better. He’s been getting on base. Let’s get him back where he’s comfortable, and let’s see if that helps this group kind of get off and go,” Vogt told Yahoo! Sports.

That makes it sound like the leadoff job is conditional on continued production. Still, said promotion has massive fantasy implications.

Batting ninth in Cleveland's lineup significantly reduces run and stolen base value. Kwan’s promotion back to the top of the order means more plate appearances per game, more run-scoring opportunities, and more chances for stolen bases. If he stays in the leadoff spot through the final two months of the season, his fantasy floor is raised and he carries much more value.

The New 2026 Fantasy Baseball Verdict

Savvy managers know Kwan’s .420 batting average isn’t sustainable. But even when it regresses to normal, his contact rate will remain and his floor will be high if he stays in the leadoff spot. This makes him a solid second-half asset.

Kwan’s first-half numbers led to a lot of drops, so he should be available across different league depths to immediately pick up off the waiver wire. Managers looking to trade for Kwan should offer a package based on his first-half slump and not his July surge so they don’t overpay for him. A swap for another mid-tier outfielder should get the deal done. Check out Athlon’s ongoing 2026 Fantasy Baseball coverage for more up-to-date fantasy analysis and second-half projections. 

Questions About Steven Kwan, Answered

What was wrong with Steven Kwan through June?
Steven Kwan endured a prolonged slump rather than a brief cold streak. He said his usual swing cues were no longer working, partly because of bad habits that developed after a previous wrist injury. Pitchers also exploited him by consistently attacking the outer part of the strike zone, forcing him to adjust both his mechanics and approach.

What changed behind Steven Kwan’s July surge?
Kwan made meaningful adjustments to his swing and approach. His opposite-field hit rate climbed sharply, his line-drive rate increased, and his fly-ball rate dropped. Those changes helped him string together hits consistently, even though he was not producing significantly harder contact.

What does Steven Kwan’s Statcast profile say about his turnaround?
The underlying metrics suggest Kwan’s resurgence is driven by elite contact rather than increased power. His strikeout, walk, chase, whiff, and square-up rates remain outstanding, but his hard-hit rate, barrel rate, bat speed, and average exit velocity remain among the lowest in the league.

What does Kwan’s return to the leadoff spot mean for fantasy managers?
Batting leadoff increases Kwan’s fantasy value by giving him more plate appearances and more opportunities to score runs and steal bases. While the role appears tied to his continued production, remaining at the top of Cleveland’s lineup significantly raises his fantasy floor.

Should fantasy managers add or trade for Steven Kwan?
Yes. Kwan’s first-half struggles likely depressed his fantasy value, creating an opportunity to acquire him at a discount. Although his current batting average is unlikely to continue, his improved approach and return to the leadoff spot make him a strong second-half fantasy option.

Is Steven Kwan’s hot July sustainable?
His current batting average is unlikely to last, but the overall improvement appears meaningful. The mechanical adjustments and improved approach support better production, even if the power numbers remain limited because he is still relying on contact quality rather than hard-hit balls.