The Cleveland Guardians have a middle-infield problem, as shortstop Gabriel Arias is struggling with a .063 batting average. His days in the organization appear to be numbered if he can’t hit.
Second baseman Brayan Rocchio is also scuffling with a .176 batting average, but he is at least getting on base as his .364 OBP suggests. Still, the middle infield spots are where the Guardians struggle the most.
Down in the minor leagues, in Triple-A, Cleveland has one of the top prospects in baseball, Travis Bazzana, getting ready for a promotion to the majors at some point in 2026. Some think he is ready for The Show right now, while others believe he could use a few weeks in Columbus to get on a nice groove at the plate and build confidence.
When will we see Bazzana defending second base for the Guardians? Well, that’s the question everyone is asking. Team insider Tim Stebbins did his best to answer it on Wednesday.
“I think it’ll be before the All-Star break. I don’t think it’ll be April, and later in May or early June might be most realistic for the earliest we could see him. There’s benefit to allowing Bazzana (Pipeline’s No. 18 overall prospect) to get reps with Triple-A Columbus, given the time he missed this past season. But I don’t think there’s a strict timeline here, especially if he’s hitting well with the Clippers,” Stebbins wrote.
Bazzana, 23, is sporting a 119 wRC+ in four Triple-A games. He had a 222 mark in the Cactus League, and posted a 137 wRC+ last year between Double- A and Triple-A.
He just played 26 games in Columbus last season, so while he is likely a finished product, the decision to leave him there for a few weeks is understandable and defensible.
Other factors might be in play, though, such as gaining an extra year of team control and avoiding Super Two status. That’s why it makes sense to delay his debut until late May or early June.
Bazzana could also use some development time to work on his defense, but he will be, in all likelihood, delivering big hits near the top of the Guardians’ lineup by the summer. He is too good not to be in the majors before the All-Star break, and the team’s middle infield situation certainly accelerates his timeline.
NEXT: Guardians Facing Tough Decision With Gabriel Arias
