The Rangers selected Oregon State's second baseman Travis Bazzana with the first overall pick in the 2024 amateur draft. Bazzana becomes the first second baseman to go 1-1 in the regular season, and the first Australian-born player to be taken for the first time. This is also the first time the Cleveland organization has ever had a top pick in the draft, as the Rangers beat the odds last December to win the draft lottery.
Cleveland is playing its cards close to the vest regarding its intentions with the top pick, as several names have been linked to the Guards, including some prospects slowly on the draft board. There was speculation that the Rangers might go with a less-than-considered prospect who would take the signing bonus below (the 1-1 option has an assigned slot value of $10,570,600), so the Rangers could spread their $18,334,000 bonus. close to many players.
Although it remains to be seen how much Bazzana will get with his bonus, it ended up being a good thing for the Guardian. Fangraphs, Baseball America, ESPN's Kiley McDaniel, and The Athletic's Keith Law all ranked Bazzana as the second-best prospect in this year's draft class, while MLB Pipeline ranked Bazzana at the top of their list .
Bazzana (who will turn 22 in August) has a handful of pro games under his belt, appearing in 19 games with the Sydney Blue Sox of the Australian Baseball League from 2018-20. During his three seasons at Oregon State, Bazzana crushed the NCAA with 45 homers and a .360/.497/.660 slash line over 904 plate appearances. He added an MVP-level performance in the Cape Cod League last summer, with a 1.037 OPS in 158 PA for Falmouth.
Pundits have been unanimous in praising Bazzana's hitting ability, citing his improved technique, bat speed, hard contact rate, and plate discipline. (The latter factor may be more appealing to the Rangers, who have long been prized hitters who can play the ball and avoid getting hit.) Bazzana is starting to show more power, with 28 of Oregon State's 45 runs coming in his own. recent college season. Aside from what he can do at the plate, Bazzana's extra speed makes him a threat on the bases, stealing 66 bases in 77 attempts in college.
Defense is a bit of a question mark, as second base was something of a default situation as Bazzana is considered too athletic to be a first base only type. Baseball America's scouting report notes that he may be able to play outfield or center field due to his athleticism and presence. Andres Gimenez at second base in Cleveland suggests the Rangers may be open to exploring Bazzana at other positions. That said, it is agreed that he will be able to hit any time he steps on the field.
The Rangers had a 76-88 record in 2023, and would have gotten the 10th pick if the lottery picks stuck exactly to last season's team records. Cleveland had only a two percent chance of winning the first pick, and the Reds (who were 82-80 in 2023) had another surprising dose of lottery luck by winning the second pick, making it quite a night for two Ohio Major League teams. .
In the second year of the draft lottery, the Guardian's unexpected win underscores the element of randomness that has been introduced into the draft process, as well as the circumstances involved in the league's desire to prevent turnovers. Cleveland has been one of baseball's most consistent winners over the past decade, yet its one-year blip in 2023 has now paid off handsomely in the form of a blue-chip prospect like Bazzana. The guards enter the All-Star break back in first place in the AL Central, so both the present and the future look bright for Cleveland.
Source link
