Cleveland Guardian outfielder Steven Kwan has been named to the American League starting lineup for the upcoming Major League Baseball All Star game.

Kwan, a native of the San Francisco Bay Area who grew up in Fremont, will become the first Asian American ever to start the game.

Shohei Ohtani made history in 2021 when the American League named him both the starting pitcher and starting designated hitter. However, Ohtani is Japan-born from Mizusawa, Iwate, Japan, and not an American citizen.

Ohtani also received a starting nod for the 2024 game, but this time for the National League representing the Los Angeles Dodgers as the designated hitter. A national television audience will see two Asian players starting the game for the first time.

Kwan is batting .362 with 13 doubles, two triples and seven home runs to go along with his 62 singles. He will play left field in the game on July 16 in Arlington, TX.

He will join a starting outfield alongside legendary players Aaron Judge and Juan Soto.

Other American League starters will be José Ramírez of the Guardians at third, Gunnar Henderson of Baltimore at shortstop, Yordan Alvarez of Houston at designated hitter, Vladimir Guerrero Jr of Toronto at first base, Adley Rutschman of Baltimore at catcher and Jose Altuve of Houston at second base.

The National League starting lineup will be comprised of Christian Yelich of Milwaukee, Fernando Tatis Jr. of San Diego and Jurickson Profar of San Diego in the outfield, Bryce Harper (injured) of Philadelphia at first base, Ketel Marte of Arizona at second base, Trea Turner of Philadelphia at shortstop, Alec Bohm of Philadelphia at third, Wilson Contreras of Milwaukee at catcher and Dodgers designated hitter Shohei Ohtani.

Kwan’s batting average of .362 would ordinarily put him atop all of Major League Baseball batting average leader. However, he missed a month of the season due to a hamstring strain. MLB.com reports he did not have enough official at bats to qualify him to be placed among the league leaders.

This will be Kwan’s first All Star appearance after less than three seasons. His mother Jane is Japanese American and father Raymond is Chinese American.

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