CLEVELAND — The Cleveland Guardians added two more awards to their ever growing 2022 collection Monday after outfielder Steven Kwan and closer Emmanuel Clase were named American League Rookie and Reliever of the Month, respectively, for September.
Kwan, a recent winner of the American League Player of the Week award, went on a tear in the month of September leading the Guardians offense during the most pressure packed portion of the schedule.
Kwan finished September hitting .325, belting 3 home runs, with 14 RBI and 21 runs scored. This is the second time Kwan has won AL Rookie of the Month (April).
While American League Rookie of the Year race may be out of reach for Kwan with Seattle Mariners outfielder Julio Rodriguez remaining the overwhelming favorite for most of the year, the Guardians' rookie lead off hitter has given the young Cleveland offense a spark since taking over the top spot in the lineup midway through the season.
Not to be outdone, Guardians All-Star closer Emmanuel Clase was named the American League reliever of the month for September Monday.
Clase was lights out over the past month, racking up 10 saves, with 16 strikeouts and a 2.25 ERA over 16 appearances.
Clase currently leads all of baseball with 41 saves. This is the third time Clase has won the AL Reliever of the Month award in the 2022 season (June, August).
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