The Cleveland Guardians’ offense sputtered down the stretch last season despite the team making it all the way to the ALCS.
However, after losing that series in five games to the New York Yankees, it became clear that Cleveland needed to find a way to add more thump to its lineup in 2025.
The Guardians hope that after trading long-term second baseman Andres Gimenez to the Toronto Blue Jays, it will be addition by subtraction in terms of offense, as his absence now clears the path for a big prospect whom one analyst believes will be manning the keystone position in Cleveland sooner than many believe.
Jonathan Mayo of MLB.com recently highlighted the top 10 second-base prospects in the league and had 2024 No. 1 pick Travis Bazzana as the second-best second-base prospect in the league behind Kristian Campbell of the Boston Red Sox.
He also believes because of Bazzana’s high floor, he won’t be in the minors for too long.
“You could make the argument that he has as high a ceiling as (Kristian) Campbell, but the floor is so high because there’s so much certainty he’ll hit at the big league level, and soon. There’s power and speed here, too,” Mayo said.
Even though Cleveland could justify the Gimenez trade by shaping it as a money-saving move, that’s simply not a move you make unless you are fully confident in Bazzana and his timeline.
Many assumed Bazzana would make the big leagues quickly after he was drafted, as his 1.479 OPS in his junior year at Oregon State showed he has few weaknesses.
It’s tough to temper expectations with a prospect like this, but Guardians fans should be excited about what’s to come.
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