Ranked as the top player in the 2024 draft class, the Cleveland Guardians wasted not time in adding a crucial piece to their already-competent roster in Travis Bazzana, who is known well for his impressive batting speed and underrated impact in the game, which says a lot about how the club is committed to building through its young core.

The Oregon State product marks as the first second baseman to be drafted with the 1st overall pick. Bazzana is definitely a perfect fit for the team considering how the Guardians need more firepower in batting and at the same time, a promising catcher who can cover a lot of ground when needed, which says a lot about how they are committed to making the most of their chances on the playoff stage now more than ever.

Bazzana is expected to play a huge role in the Guardians’ ploy for a championship. Cleveland remains a promising to look out for as the best team with the best record not just in the American League, but for the whole MLB this season save for the Philadelphia Phillies.

A Fresh Warrior off the Bat

Bazzana is known well for being a promising offensive player despite his small stature. As a junior, he has nailed a total of 28 home runs after just having a combined 17 swings in his first two seasons with the Beavers – just walking twice as often as he struck out in most of his games. Bazzana batted .407 (eighth in the nation) with a 1.479 OPS, 28 home runs, 66 RBI, and 16 stolen bases.

As the team’s all-time leader in hits with 251, Bazzana definitely boasts a promising upside in the game. Despite his injury, it may seem that he can still earn a promising role as a second baseman, which can definitely play a huge role in their pitching order. Of course, his low averages will limit him to that role, but there is a chance that his range may be convincing enough to actually make a strong case for the batting order as well.

Of course, Bazzana will have to make the most out of his run with the Guardians if they are going to make a strong push towards the playoffs, and it cannot be denied that there will be more to expect from their hopes of winning now more than ever. As a rookie, this is an opportunity that must be used well.

A Player Ready for Big Strides

Bazzana was selected well for his bat, which has seen his 2021 season in the West Coast League end up with numbers of .429 average, 1.064 OPS, 18 doubles, and 27 RBI – which led him to be named as MVP for the campaign that time. This makes him a good pick for the Guardians, and it cannot be denied that there will be more to expect from him as soon as he gets his hands on a bat in the current campaign.

The Guardians selected Bazzana with the top pick proved to be a confusing yet promising choice. The Oregon product was the club’s highest selection since they brought in Paul Shuey No. 2 overall in 1992 and is also the second player from Oregon to be selected with the first overall pick since the Baltimore Orioles selected Adley Rutschman in 2019. Now it is time for him to prove that he can answer the call for the team in the coming months.