The Cleveland Guardians are calling up former No. 1 pick Travis Bazzana, sources told ESPN on Monday night, adding the second baseman to an improved offense as they attempt to capture their third consecutive American League Central title.
Bazzana, 23, joins Cleveland after hitting .287/.422/.511 with two home runs, 10 RBIs, 18 runs and eight stolen bases in 24 games at Triple-A Columbus. Selected with the first pick out of Oregon State in the 2024 draft, which already has had nine first-rounders make their MLB debut, Bazzana is expected to take over as the full-time second baseman, a job that has been shared by struggling rookie Juan Brito and utilityman Daniel Schneemann, who has been one of Cleveland’s best hitters.
The most highly touted prospect to debut for Cleveland since Francisco Lindor in 2015, the left-handed-hitting Bazzana, a native of Hornsby, Australia, entered the season as the No. 23 prospect on Kiley McDaniel’s Top 100 for ESPN. Bazzana, who has shown power, speed and plate discipline (21 walks and 25 strikeouts at Triple-A), is expected to be a long-term addition to an improving top of the Guardians’ lineup.
sports
