The Cleveland Guardians just had their best season since making the World Series in 2016.
The best part is that they reached the AL Championship Series with youth on their side and many quality prospects on the way.
The current Guardians are very good.
Well, the future is even better.
To top it all, they had the No. 1 pick in the MLB Draft back in June and took Oregon State second baseman Travis Bazzana.
Many people believed they should have taken power hitter Jake Condon with that selection, but the numbers so far are proving the Guardians right.
“There was a TON of pre-draft chatter about whether the Guardians should take Bazzana or Condon at #1 overall. Pro-Bazzana fans correctly expressed concern over holes in Condon’s swing. In 109 PA at High-A Spokane, Condon hit .180/.248/.270 with a 3.7% BB rate and 31.2% K rate,” Guardians fan account on X Always the Jake posted.
There was a TON of pre-draft chatter about whether the Guardians should take Bazzana or Condon at #1 overall.
Pro-Bazzana fans correctly expressed concern over holes in Condon's swing.
In 109 PA at High-A Spokane, Condon hit .180/.248/.270 with a 3.7% BB rate and 31.2% K rate.
— Always the Jake (@JacobsFieldRBW) October 27, 2024
Bazzana played 27 games and accumulated 122 plate appearances at the same level.
He wasn’t Barry Bonds but he did post a well above average 122 wRC+, with a .238/.369/.396 line, three homers and five stolen bases.
He struck out 25.4 percent of the time, but walked at an elite 13.9 percent rate.
He might not have Condon’s power, but Bazzana looks like a better all-around prospect and his swing doesn’t have many holes.
In the end, Bazzana might also be closer to the majors than Condon, and that also counts in the analysis.
It might take him another year or so, but he is Cleveland’s second baseman of the future and there are no regrets on the team side for the choice they made.
NEXT: Guardians Manager Continues To Praise Young Shortstop
