CORVALLIS — Travis Bazzana concluded his final season with the Oregon State Beavers by re-writing the school record books, cementing one of the most impressive individual performances in the program’s history.
On Sunday, OSU’s star second baseman achieved another monumental milestone: being selected as the No. 1 overall draft pick by the Cleveland Guardians in the 2024 Major League Baseball Draft.
“I know Cleveland values the passion and drive I bring to the game,” Bazzana stated. “I’m playing for something big; I love this game. They know there’s no quit in me. There’s no complacency. They’re getting someone determined to win — to win a World Series.
“I’m a competitor, and I’ll always put the team in the best position to win. They appreciate my competitive nature.”
The signing bonus slot value for the top overall pick is $10,570,600.
A native of Sydney, Australia, Bazzana is the second Beaver ever to be selected No. 1 overall in an MLB Draft, joining Adley Rutschman (Baltimore Orioles, 2019). He is the 14th first-round pick in OSU history.
“His work ethic, his passion, and his ability to be a standout guy in the clubhouse are why I believe Bazzana will excel at the major league level,” Oregon State coach Mitch Canham said. “People will seek his advice both on and off the field. He will build great relationships at every affiliate. We will miss his energy in the clubhouse and his ability to uplift and hold others accountable.”
Although primarily a second baseman during his Oregon State career, Bazzana also played shortstop, third base, and outfield during summer leagues. His athleticism and versatility are key reasons for his high draft appeal.
However, the initial plan is for him to start his professional career at second base.
“We’ve briefly discussed positions,” Bazzana said. “They believe I’ll be a good infielder and probably start at second base. They value my athleticism and see potential for versatility as I progress. They trust in their player development, and so do I.”
Throughout the 2024 season, Bazzana was a powerhouse for the Beavers. Batting leadoff, he posted a .407/.568/.911 slash line with 28 home runs, 66 RBIs, 16 doubles, and 16 stolen bases in 60 games. He set single-season records at OSU for runs, home runs, and slugging percentage, and tied the single-season record with 74 walks.
Bazzana was named Pac-12 Player of the Year and became just the sixth unanimous first-team All-American in program history.
As a sophomore in 2023, he was recognized as a second-team All-American by multiple publications after slashing .374/.500/.622 with 11 home runs, 55 RBI, and 36 stolen bases.
In his true freshman season in 2022, Bazzana started as OSU’s second baseman and hit .306 with six home runs and 44 RBIs, earning first-team all-conference honors.
“I never fully counted it out, but I didn’t imagine this would be reality until maybe the middle of the Cape Cod season when I thought I could be the top pick,” Bazzana said. “I understood this year that I couldn’t control the draft outcome. Cleveland could’ve wanted something different. I could have had my best season ever and still not been the pick.
“My goal was to be the best position player in college baseball, and I focused on what I could control. The draft pick would sort itself out. But that summer was when I realized I could be the best prospect in the class.”
Jarrid Denney covers high school sports and Oregon State for the Statesman Journal. He can be reached at JDenney@salem.gannett.com or on X @jarrid_denney.