Travis Bazzana Picked No. 1 in 2024 MLB Draft by Guardians as Fans Praise OSU Star
July 14, 2024
The Cleveland Guardians have the best record in the American League, and they added to their riches on Sunday night by selecting second baseman Travis Bazzana with the No. 1 pick in the 2024 MLB draft.
Bazzana, who starred at Oregon State, is the first second baseman ever to be selected with the No. 1 pick.
Fans on social media couldn't hold back their excitement following the addition of Bazzana to the Guardians roster:
Cleveland Guardians @CleGuardiansWe're bananas for Bazzana. 🍌<br><br>With the first pick in the 2024 MLB Draft, we have selected 2B Travis Bazzana from Oregon State.<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ForTheLand?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ForTheLand</a> <a href="https://t.co/pptQXhMQoq">pic.twitter.com/pptQXhMQoq</a>
MLB The Show @MLBTheShowThe <a href="https://twitter.com/CleGuardians?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@CleGuardians</a> select Travis Bazzana with the #1 pick in the 2024 <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/MLBDraft?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#MLBDraft</a>! 👏👏👏<br><br>Congratulations Travis and welcome to The Show!<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ForTheLand?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ForTheLand</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/MLBTheShow?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#MLBTheShow</a> <a href="https://t.co/wFhdysJ5vD">pic.twitter.com/wFhdysJ5vD</a>
Peter Flaherty III @PeterGFlahertyWith the first overall pick, the Cleveland Guardians have selected 2B Travis Bazzana. Elite athlete with top-of-the-scale bat speed, a 70 hit tool, and comfortably 55 power (60 to the pull side). Feel for the barrel is off the charts. AA at 2B, 80 makeup! <a href="https://t.co/s8Fxoaa1zB">pic.twitter.com/s8Fxoaa1zB</a>
Front Office Sports @FOSTravis Bazzana just became the first Australian first round pick in MLB history.<br><br>• High school cricket captain, state champion<br>• Cape Cod MVP, Batting Champion<br>• All-Pac-12 First Team, Player of the Year<br>• Oregon State career leader in H, HR, SB<br><br>He's headed to Cleveland as… <a href="https://t.co/HTyT8VAHr5">pic.twitter.com/HTyT8VAHr5</a>
Bazzana is a native of Australia and arrived at Oregon State in 2021. He was a finalist for the 2024 Golden Spikes Award after hitting .407/.568/.911 with 28 homers and 16 stolen bases in 60 games for the Beavers.
ESPN's Kiley McDaniel ranked Bazzana as the No. 2 player in the class and praised him as a "more polished" hitter than No. 1 prospect Charlie Condon because of "his optimized swing rate, pitch selection, swing path/style and also his maxed-out frame." Condon was selected with the No. 3 pick by the Colorado Rockies.
Bazzana is likely to work his way through the minor leagues and earn a spot on the Guardians roster within the next few years. Pairing him with Cleveland star third baseman Jose Ramirez will create a formidable 1-2 punch for years to come.
The Guardians are 58-37 entering the All-Star break, and the selection of Bazzana gives their fans even more reason to celebrate their strong start to the 2024 season. Cleveland will be back in action on Friday against the San Diego Padres.
