Before straining his oblique in late May, Cleveland Guardians uber-prospect Travis Bazzana was flirting with a promotion to Triple-A Columbus.
He had been assigned to Double-A Akron to open the year and performed admirably there.
The injury took about two months of his season, though, as he returned to Double-A in mid-July.
Bazzana showed no ill effects from the oblique issue and kept hitting like he never left.
After logging eight extra-base hits in 18 games since returning from the oblique strain, the Guardians had seen enough: they deemed him ready for a new challenge.
“Travis Bazzana is heading to Triple-A! The 2024 No. 1 overall pick sports a 70-grade hit tool and tallied 8 XBH over 18 games since returning from injury at Double-A,” MLB Pipeline posted on X.
Travis Bazzana is heading to Triple-A!
More on the 2024 No. 1 overall pick (#Guardians), who sports a 70-grade hit tool and tallied 8 XBH over 18 games since returning from injury at Double-A: https://t.co/m4tTburnGc pic.twitter.com/a1ofd4034c
— MLB Pipeline (@MLBPipeline) August 10, 2025
The promotion took place on Sunday and marks a new era for Bazzana.
From now on, the future is exclusively in his hands.
If he manages to perform well in Columbus for at least a few weeks, there is a slight chance the Guardians, who are just half a game removed from a postseason spot via the Wild Card, call him up this year.
They have said many times that Bazzana’s development will be prioritized ahead of their own interests, so the second baseman will have to truly earn a promotion.
In 50 games and 224 plate appearances in Double-A, Bazzana hit a solid .262/.371/.435 with five home runs, nine stolen bases, and a 141 wRC+.
Perhaps the game power hasn’t fully developed yet, but this is an impact hitter who has extra-base pop, solid speed and instincts, and the ability to work walks.
He has a chance to be special.
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