3 problems holding upstart 2022 Cleveland Guardians back

1. Cleveland Guardians problem: Myles Straw hitting leadoff

It’s hard to watch Myles Straw struggle at the leadoff spot when Steven Kwan is readily available in the same lineup.

Straw is in a major slump, now batting .212 with a .305 on-base percentage. Both figures are well below his career averages of .253 and .335.

Straw was a player the Guardians had been targeting for a while and finally landed him before last year’s trade deadline for reliever Phil Maton. In 60 games last season, the deal looked like a steel, as Straw hit .285 with a .362 on-base percentage. Prior to arriving in Cleveland, he was batting .262 with a .339 OPB.

From looking at his five-year career, we’ve learned he’s really fast and a stud defensively, but at the dish, he’s probably not as good as a .285 hitter, but certainly not as his current mark of .212. The scary number really is that on-base percentage, as he’s just got to be better if he’s going to be the first guy up.

Kwan slumped after a stellar April, but has made the adjustments and is posting a .362 on-base percentage. Like Straw, he’s fast and athletic. Plus, Kwan just has that ability to get on-base and it makes you wonder how long Tito can go with Straw at the top of the order.