As the No. 1 overall pick in the 2024 MLB Draft, expectations will always be sky-high for Travis Bazzana with the Cleveland Guardians. The second baseman has acquitted himself well as a rookie this season, even earning an AL All-Star selection, but the Guardians have to be hoping that even better days are ahead.
Entering play on Saturday, Bazzana has a slash line of .241/.336/.393 with nine home runs and 34 RBIs in 79 games. As Cleveland’s new primary leadoff hitter, he has been a consistent performer in a Guardians lineup that has been starving for production at times.
With that in mind, analyst Adam Gerstenhaber is making a big prediction about Bazzana, saying he is capable of becoming the Guardians’ best hitter, if not this season, then in the near future.
“I think going forward, over the next few years, Travis Bazzana is probably gonna be the best hitter on this team,” Gerstenhaber said.
Gerstenhaber also mentioned outfielder Chase DeLauter and veteran third baseman Jose Ramirez as possible contenders for the honor. DeLauter has better overall stats than Bazzana does in their shared rookie season, while Ramirez has underperformed this year when compared to the 33-year-old’s usual All-Star production.
DeLauter has a slash line of .277/.347/.435 with 11 home runs and a team-leading 51 RBIs in his 93 games. Ramirez, who recently returned from a lengthy stint on the injured list after hamate bone surgery, is slashing .236/.334/.395 with 10 homers and 35 RBIs in 80 games, which are well below his career averages across the board.
The honor of best Guardians hitter may be a dubious one, as the team ranks last in the majors in base hits, runs scored, total bases, batting average and OPS, and is fourth from the bottom in home runs. Despite that, they remain a playoff contender in a tight AL race.
Bazzana, who made his MLB debut in late April, has tailed off statistically since a good first month, likely because opposing pitchers have learned how to attack his weaknesses. Now, he must respond by continuing to make adjustments to combat that.
It is a challenge for any young player, but Bazzana certainly has the potential to do so and become a dangerous major league hitter for years to come.
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