The Oregon State University Beavers prepare themselves for the College World Series Final against Arkansas in Omaha this week. The Beavers have had plenty of help from junior center fielder Steven Kwan to get them there. The lead-off hitter was questionable for game 1 but it has been announced he will be playing.
After missing three straight starts during this College World Series, Kwan was put in late last game against Mississippi State. He would pinch-hit and fly out and would take the field during the 9th inning of the 5-2 victory. Now it seems that he’ll be ready to go when The Beavers play Arkansas.
Kwan was selected by the Cleveland Indians in the fifth-round of the 2018 draft.
High School: Washington High School
https://www.instagram.com/p/BkWEgdBhOTG/?hl=en&taken-by=beaverathletics
https://www.instagram.com/p/Bj3ldLmgvku/?hl=en&taken-by=beaverathletics
https://www.instagram.com/p/BjdN1-MAdKa/?hl=en&taken-by=beaverathletics
https://www.instagram.com/p/BgxeVw1AWNF/?hl=en&taken-by=beaverathletics
Kwan attended Washington High School and was a four-year letterman. After batting .250 in his freshman year he would go on to hit .316 with six doubles and 10 stolen bases in his sophomore season. This would earn him second-team all-conference. He would have an explosive junior season, batting .489 with nine doubles, a home-run, 23 RBIs, and 12 Stolen bases. He would be named First-Team All-League and be ranked 13th in Northern California. His numbers would dip slightly his senior year but were still unreal, hitting .462 with 10 doubles, five triples, and 14 RBIs.
Kwan would be named Second-Team NCS, first team All-East Bay, and first team all-league. He would then commit to Oregon State University.
College: Oregon State University
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HW91Qu7XD7I
Kwan would immediately make his presence felt when he joined Oregon State, playing in 35 games and starting in 15. He would have a modest batting average sitting at .215 with two doubles and two triples, amassing seven RBIs. He would find his footing more in his sophomore season playing in 55 games, starting 42, and batting .331 with eight extra-base hits and 18 RBIs. He received Honorable Mentions for All-Pac-12 Conference and Pac-12 All-Academic team.
This past season has been his best yet. Playing 64 games and starting 62 of them. He hit .359 while getting 16 extra base hits and 41 RBIs. It was enough to get him on the All-Pac-12 Conference Team. Kwans productivity was recognized by MLB scouts and he was drafted in the 5th round by the Cleveland Indians. But before he can turn his sights on the big leagues Kwan will have to focus on Arkansas.
The Beavers will need their stellar junior at 100 percent is they hope to win in Omaha.
