Australian prodigy Travis Bazzana has been chosen by the Cleveland Guardians within the prime decide in Main League Baseball’s draft.
Australian prodigy Travis Bazzana has been chosen by the Cleveland Guardians within the prime decide in Main League Baseball‘s draft.
The Oregon State second baseman has made historical past as he’s the primary Australian to be named first within the draft.
No different Australian has been chosen within the first spherical. Bazzana is from Sydney initially.
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Not solely did he make historical past for Australia, he’s additionally the primary second baseman to go No.1 total within the draft.
“It means loads. It’s laborious to place into phrases but it surely means all the things,” Bazzana stated after his choice.
“I am simply stoked and I am actually blissful to be with the individuals I am with proper now.
“I see plenty of alternatives to make an influence on plenty of baseball gamers and folks again residence and hopefully change the narrative for baseball.
“However simply giving perception to gamers again residence that they’ll do nice issues within the US and pursue a Main League dream and hopefully it is a step in direction of that.”
It was Cleveland’s first time taking prime decide within the draft because it started in 1965.
Josh Spence was beforehand the very best picked Aussie. He was chosen within the third spherical within the 2009 draft.
Travis Bazzana #37 of the Oregon State Beavers. Getty
Bazzana will ink his deal on Monday afternoon (AEST) earlier than reporting to a group in Cleveland’s minor leagues for the rest of the season.
The primary total decide in 2023 earned a $13.6 million bonus, with Bazzana anticipated to signal for as much as $15 million – immediately making him considered one of Australia’s highest paid athletes.
The 21-year-old has expressed curiosity in enjoying within the inexperienced and gold on the Below-23 World Cup and Premier-12 tournaments later this yr.
Bazzana had a standout season within the school league, the place he grew to become the all-time chief in residence runs, stolen bases, runs scored, doubles, hits and walks. He was additionally named Participant of the 12 months.
He’s the main product of the Australian baseball system, beginning out in t-ball at Ku-Ring-Gai earlier than transferring to membership ball in Ryde.
