Australian prodigy Travis Bazzana has been selected by the Cleveland Guardians in the top pick in Major League Baseball‘s draft.
The Oregon State second baseman has made history as he is the first Australian to be named first in the draft.
No other Australian has been selected in the first round. Bazzana is from Sydney originally.
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Not only did he make history for Australia, he is also the first second baseman to go No.1 overall in the draft.
“It means a lot. It is hard to put into words but it means everything,” Bazzana said after his selection.
“I’m just stoked and I’m really happy to be with the people I’m with right now.
“I see a lot of opportunities to make an impact on a lot of baseball players and people back home and hopefully change the narrative for baseball.
“But just giving belief to players back home that they can do great things in the US and pursue a Major League dream and hopefully this is a step towards that.”
It was Cleveland’s first time taking top pick in the draft since it began in 1965.
Josh Spence was previously the highest picked Aussie. He was selected in the third round in the 2009 draft.
Travis Bazzana #37 of the Oregon State Beavers. Getty
Bazzana will ink his deal on Monday afternoon (AEST) before reporting to a team in Cleveland’s minor leagues for the remainder of the season.
The first overall pick in 2023 earned a $13.6 million bonus, with Bazzana expected to sign for up to $15 million – instantly making him one of Australia’s highest paid athletes.
The 21-year-old has expressed interest in playing in the green and gold at the Under-23 World Cup and Premier-12 tournaments later this year.
Bazzana had a standout season in the college league, where he became the all-time leader in home runs, stolen bases, runs scored, doubles, hits and walks. He was also named Player of the Year.
He is the leading product of the Australian baseball system, starting out in t-ball at Ku-Ring-Gai before moving to club ball in Ryde.
