CORVALLIS — Travis Bazzana concluded his last season with the Oregon State Beavers by making history and delivering one of the most exceptional individual performances in the school’s history.
On Sunday, the superstar second baseman added another impressive achievement to his resume: being the No. 1 overall draft pick. The Cleveland Guardians selected Bazanna with the first pick of the 2024 Major League Baseball Draft.
“I know (Cleveland) values the passion I bring to the game,” Bazzana said. “I’m dedicated to this game and always strive to win, aiming for a World Series victory. They know I’m not one to give up or become complacent. They’re getting someone who constantly aims to win.”
The signing bonus slot value for the No. 1 overall pick is $10,570,600.
A native of Sydney, Australia, Bazzana becomes the second Beaver ever selected as the No. 1 overall pick in an MLB Draft, joining Adley Rutschman (Baltimore Orioles, 2019). He is the 14th first-round pick in OSU history.
Oregon State coach Mitch Canham praised Bazzana, saying, “His work ethic, passion, and presence make him special. I know he’ll be a key figure in the clubhouse, offering advice on and off the field. He builds strong relationships wherever he goes and uplifts those around him. We’ll miss his energy and accountability.”
During his time at Oregon State, Bazzana primarily played second base but also spent time at shortstop, third base, and in the outfield during summer ball in the West Coast League and Cape Cod League. His athleticism and versatility made him a highly sought-after prospect.
Bazzana mentioned that he is expected to start his professional career at second base, but there is potential for him to play other positions due to his athleticism.
Throughout the 2024 season, Bazzana was dominant for the Beavers. As a leadoff hitter, he slashed .407/.568/.911 with 28 home runs, 66 RBI, 16 doubles, and 16 stolen bases in 60 games. He set school records for runs, home runs, and slugging percentage, and tied the OSU record with 74 walks.
Bazzana was named the Pac-12 Player of the Year and became the sixth unanimous first-team All-American in OSU history.
In his sophomore season in 2023, Bazzana earned second-team All-American honors after slashing .374/.500/.622 with 11 home runs, 55 RBI, and 36 stolen bases.
As a freshman in 2022, Bazzana started at second base and hit .306 with six home runs and 44 RBI, earning first-team all-conference selection.
Reflecting on his journey, Bazzana said, “I never counted it out, but it wasn’t until the middle of the Cape Cod season that I realized being the top pick was a possibility. My goal was to be the best position player in college baseball, and I focused on what I could control. I knew the draft selections would work themselves out.”
Jarrid Denney covers high school sports and Oregon State for the Statesman Journal. He can be contacted at JDenney@salem.gannett.com or on X@jarrid_denney