The Akron RubberDucks, the Cleveland Guardians’ Double-A affiliate, were playing the Somerset Patriots on Friday night.
In case you haven’t been following the Guards’ minor leagues this year, their top prospect and 2024 No. 1 draft pick Travis Bazzana is currently playing in Akron, developing his skills with a promotion to the major leagues as one of his goals.
The RubberDucks were down 3-2 heading to the bottom of the ninth.
Akron looked destined for a loss and did lose when everything was said and done anyway, but Bazzana did his best to prevent it.
“Travis Bazzana’s 4th homer of the season is a moonshot. The @CleGuardians top prospect now has hits in 10 of his last 11 games for the Double-A @AkronRubberDuck,” MLB Pipeline posted on X, with a video of the blast.
Travis Bazzana's 4th homer of the season is a moonshot 🌛
The @CleGuardians top prospect now has hits in 10 of his last 11 games for the Double-A @AkronRubberDuck: pic.twitter.com/sCyzTYqJkQ
— MLB Pipeline (@MLBPipeline) May 10, 2025
Bazzana didn’t really do much in the game besides the homer and a walk.
However, he sure picked the best possible spot and moment for his long ball.
It tied the game in the bottom of the ninth, but the RubberDucks lost it in extras 7-6.
Bazzana is growing quite comfortable in Double-A and is now hitting a cool .256/.351/.444 with a 133 wRC+ at the level.
He posted a 126 wRC+ last year in High-A, so he is showing the world he was indeed ready for a bigger challenge.
He has also homered four times and stolen six bases.
If Bazzana can keep this up for a few more weeks, one has to think he will be in Triple-A soon.
From there, he would be just a call away from The Show.
He is the future face of the Guardians and has been playing like it in Akron.
NEXT: Bruce Drennan Drops Big Compliment On Guardians’ Rising Pitcher
