Travis

Bazzana

The homer was hit 107.8 mph and 423 feet off a 98.5-mph fastball from Edgardo Henríquez. Bazzana will soon head off to play for Australia in the World Baseball Classic, which probably won’t help his slim chances of pulling off a long shot bid for the second base gig in Cleveland. The 2024 first overall pick probably needs some more time in Triple-A anyway, but the Guardians don’t have much standing in his way.

That’s probably the right plan. Rocchio played second, with Arias at short, after returning from the minors last July. Arias, though, just hasn’t looked like a big-league regular, and while Rocchio still has much to prove, too, he’s the more intriguing player at this point. The news suggests the Guardians could aim for a stopgap in second while waiting on 2024 first overall pick Travis Bazzana. Or perhaps Bazzana could have a shot of winning the job in spring training, even if his participation for Team Australia in the WBC probably won’t help there.

The injury potentially eliminates the possibility of Bazzana joining Cleveland’s postseason roster. There should be an update on the severity of the issue at some point in the coming days. The 23-year-old top prospect was in the midst of an extended hot streak at the Triple-A level, batting .290 with four homers in nine games since the start of September.

Bazzana could be an option for Cleveland heading into the postseason as he continues to swing a hot bat on the doorstep of the majors. The first-overall pick from the 2024 MLB Draft notched his first multi-homer performance in this one and has gone 10-for-32 with five extra-base hits, including three home runs, over his last eight games at the Triple-A level.

The two-run homer in a 3-3 game with Bazzana’s first in 20 games since moving up to Columbus. The 2024 No. 1 overall pick is batting .214/.415/.357 in 95 plate appearances. That breaks down as 15 hits and 23 walks. He previously hit .256/.364/.426 with five homers in 228 plate appearances in Double-a.

The top-overall pick in the 2024 MLB Draft, Bazzana has quietly put himself in the mix for a late-season call-up to Cleveland, reaching base safely in seven of eight contests since arriving at the Triple-A level. The 22-year-old second baseman would provide a jolt for the Guardians if they decide to give him a taste of the majors at some point during the final five weeks. He’s probably not a fantasy superstar, but he does a little bit of everything well and will be eligible at one of the weakest position groups in the landscape.

The top overall pick from the 2024 draft hit .262/.371/.435 with five homers, 23 RBI, nine stolen bases and a 53/29 K/BB ratio over 224 plate appearances in 50 games at Double-A Akron. He’s now just one step away from the big leagues.

Last year’s number one overall pick is working his way back from an oblique injury that sent him to the IL in late May. His one hit on Tuesday was a double off rehabbing Blake Snell, which is not a bad way to get your day started. Bazzana should return to Double-A in short order and could end the season with a few games at Triple-A if he continues his strong performance from before his injury.

The injury doesn’t necessarily rule out Bazzana reaching the majors this season, but it does mean it’s a whole lot less likely to happen. The 22-year-old second baseman was hitting .252/.362/.433 with four homers and eight steals in 33 games for Double-A Akron.

Bazzana increased his hitting streak to seven consecutive games on Friday evening and is hitting .303 with two homers through nine games since May 1. The top-overall selection from last year’s MLB Draft appears to be on track to reach Cleveland at some point in the second half of the year.