The No. 1 overall draft pick has been selected. The Cleveland Guardians have chosen Travis Bazzana from Oregon State University in the 2024 MLB Draft. Bazzana is a second baseman from Sydney, Australia. He is ranked number one in the MLB prospect rankings.
The 21-year-old superstar is a left-handed hitter with strength and speed. A powerhouse hitter, he is no stranger to the long ball. He has created a lasting impact on his team at Oregon State and is looking to continue to develop as he heads into the Guardians organization.
Here is a look into the life and many talents of MLB’s No. 1 draft pick.
Travis Bazzana: Early Life
Living his entire life in Australia, Travis Bazzana was a multi-sport athlete out of Turramurra High School. He came to the United States for a chance to play baseball at a higher level in 2022. At an early age, cricket and baseball were his two main focuses. When it came time to choose a path to follow, baseball was his clear answer.
“I was more passionate about it,” said Bazzana in an interview with ESPN. “If there was extra time for me to put practice into something, it was baseball.”
His passion for the sport and the competitive nature it brings is what has captivated him from the beginning.
A Dive Into His Collegiate Career
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Upon arriving in the States, he immediately made a great impact on his team as he recorded a batting average of .306 and an OBP of .425 during his freshman year. He became a Freshman All-American and was a part of the All-Pac-12 First Team.
Those already impressive numbers skyrocketed in the years following. In 2023, he raised his batting average to .374 while registering 11 home runs and 55 RBIs, leading his team in most categories. During this year, he made school history, recording 36 stolen bases, which is a single-season record for the Beavers.
His most recent season at Oregon State was his best yet. He batted .407 and garnered a slugging percentage of .911. During this year, Bazzana won many honors, including PAC-12 Conference Player of the Year.
Bazzana’s Benefits for the Cleveland Guardians
Travis Bazzana is known for his heavy-hitting tendencies, as he has collected 45 career home runs. However, that is not where all of his talent lies. He makes timely hits and can get on base. During his 2024 season, he reached base safely in every single game played. His aggressiveness at the plate and on the bases aided in making him so sought after by the Guardians.
He is an extreme threat on the basepaths. Throughout his collegiate career, he recorded 66 stolen bases. His speed and agility are dangerous in the field as well, as he has a near-perfect fielding percentage of .974. Though he is mainly a middle-infielder, his athleticism allows him to play anywhere necessary.
Following the Guardian’s selection of Bazzana, the Cincinnati Reds followed up by selecting right-handed pitcher, Chase Burns from Wake Forest University while the Colorado Rockies used their third pick on Georgia’s third baseman, Charlie Condon. Burns was not the only draftee from Wake Forest University as the Oakland Athletics selected Nick Kurtz as their No. 4 pick.
With this number one selection, the Cleveland Guardians hope he can catapult them into long-term success moving forward. As Bazzana works his way through Cleveland’s farm system, he will likely primarily play his usual position at second base. However, his athleticism may lead him to shift as his career progresses.
His stint in the minor leagues may be fairly short as he taps into the potential that the Guardians were able to see. When he finally breaks into the league, he is sure to make a lasting impact.
