WEST SACRAMENTO -- The quality of Travis Bazzana’s plate appearances has been on full display over his first few days in the big leagues. But entering the seventh inning on Saturday, the 23-year-old still had a goose egg in the hits column.
Bazzana wasted no further time getting on the board. The second baseman and 2024 No. 1 overall Draft pick recorded his first Major League hit, when he delivered a bases-loaded two-run single off A’s lefty Hogan Harris to help the Guardians beat the A’s, 14-6, at Sutter Health Park.
Bazzana’s hit came on a ground ball up the middle, past diving A’s shortstop Jacob Wilson.
“It felt great,” said Bazzana after his fourth big league game. “Nothing but good feelings, obviously. Once it squeaked through, it was nice to get a couple of RBIs and get the first one out of the way.”
The plate discipline that Bazzana (who’s ranked as MLB Pipeline’s No. 16 overall prospect) has long been known for has shined in the early going. He’s drawn five walks through his first 18 plate appearances in the Majors.
But Bazzana was 0-for-12 to start his career. In his first three at-bats Saturday, he flied out to right field, grounded out to first base and struck out.
“The first three games, I didn't really feel any extra pressure,” Bazzana said. “I felt like I was having really good at-bats. Maybe a little bit after the first one today, the first out. You just start to know, like, ‘All right, it's getting a little long,’ but I got it out of the way.
“I feel like I'm putting together good at-bats and hopefully continue to drive some balls, get some balls in the air soon, go from here.”
Bazzana worked a 2-0 count against Harris, who then drew the count even at 2-2. Bazzana took a four-seam fastball high to run the count full, then fouled off a pair of heaters on the inner half. Harris came back with another fastball down and inside, and Bazzana knocked it up the middle.
As he ran to first base, Bazzana turned toward the Guardians’ dugout and let out a primal yell, and he pumped his right fist once the ball got past Wilson. Seemingly the entire Cleveland first-base dugout was at or near the dugout railing celebrating with Bazzana after the ball got through.
Bazzana then promptly recorded his first big league stolen base by swiping second.
“You want to have teams that you jell with and have good relationships,” Bazzana said. “They pick you up, you pick them up. So to turn to the dugout and see them kind of over the railing, it's a great feeling. I hope to continue to have that energy.”
Bazzana has put up good at-bats and made quality contact. On Wednesday against the Rays, he grounded out in the second and fourth innings while logging an exit velocity of 102.1 mph and 100.2 mph, respectively. He flied out to the warning track in the sixth inning.
Bazzana knows it’s important to control the controllables. He noted how if he’s in a good place with his process at the plate, such as swinging at good pitches and remaining on time for them, he’s going to have success. Saturday, it all came together.
A large contingent of Bazzana’s family and friends attended his big league debut on Tuesday in Cleveland. Many of his loved ones made the trip to Sacramento this weekend -- including his parents, Jenny and Gary; his brothers, Hayden and Mitchell; and his uncle and aunts.
Bazzana was able to celebrate with his loved ones, and he received the baseball from his first hit. He’s still figuring out what to do with it.
“Keep it close to me and put it away with some nice stuff,” Bazzana said. “I gotta keep it safe. I'll find a nice spot for it one day.”
With time, it figures to be one of many mementos we watch Bazzana take home with him.