CLEVELAND – A few years ago, Steven Kwan and Trevor Larnach were at Oregon State’s facilities when a young freshman named Travis Bazzana shadowed them for the day. Fast forward to now, and Bazzana is joining Kwan as a teammate in Cleveland.
The Guardians are promoting Bazzana, the No. 1 pick in the 2024 draft, to play second base, giving him a shot in the big leagues. The team will send infielder Juan Brito to Triple-A Columbus to make room for Bazzana.
Bazzana’s strong work ethic and determination caught the attention of the Guardians when they had a rare chance to pick first in the draft lottery. His approach at the plate, along with his patience and contact ability, have made him a promising prospect.
What sets Bazzana apart is his dedication off the field. He would request scouting reports on both opponents and teammates, showing a keen interest in improving his own game. This commitment has impressed the organization, with Bazzana even scheduling a meeting with the research and development department to learn more about defensive metrics and hitting evaluations.
Despite missing time due to injury last season, Bazzana has been performing well at Triple A this year with a .287/.422/.511 slash line. He was listed as a top prospect by various publications before the season began, and now he is getting his chance to shine at Progressive Field.
(FACT CHECK: Travis Bazzana is a highly regarded prospect who has impressed the Guardians with his work ethic and dedication to improving on and off the field. He will be making his debut at second base for Cleveland after being promoted from Triple A.)
