GOODYEAR, Ariz. -- A lively atmosphere enveloped the Tokyo Dome on March 4, as a flurry of fans cheered on Chinese Taipei during its World Baseball Classic matchup against Australia. In the seventh inning, Travis Bazzana flipped the script.
Bazzana belted a solo home run that gave Australia a three-run lead, in its eventual 3-0 win over Chinese Taipei.
“When I hit it, it went quiet,” Bazzana said Thursday before the Guardians’ 1-0 win over the Brewers at Goodyear Ballpark. “That was like a weird feeling, but it made it all the better. I'd kind of been preparing for big moments like in that environment, that tournament, my whole life. To have that felt pretty special.”
Bazzana rejoined the Guardians in Arizona on Thursday following his stint suiting up for his native Australia in the World Baseball Classic. Though his experience ended in heartbreak, it was nonetheless memorable for the 23-year-old as he fulfilled a childhood dream. Bazzana said it was more than he could have imagined.
“I already had high expectations, and it blew that out of the water,” said Bazzana, who’s ranked as the Guardians’ No. 1 prospect and No. 20 overall by MLB Pipeline.
Australia went 2-2 in the Classic while also beating Czechia, 5-1. It went toe-to-toe with Japan, which is one of the tournament favorites, but dropped a close decision, 4-3. Australia then fell to Korea 7-2 in a painful finale. Korea advanced to the quarterfinals (alongside Japan) over Australia and Chinese Taipei by virtue of a tiebreaker.
Had Australia lost to Korea by fewer than five runs, Bazzana would be in Miami right now for the WBC quarterfinals. Australia was three outs away after Bazzana hit an RBI single in the bottom of the eighth inning, which cut Korea’s lead to 6-2. But in an emotional swing, Korea scored once in the top of the ninth to help punch its ticket.
“Emotional swing is the perfect way to put it,” said Bazzana, who’s a non-roster invitee in Guardians big league camp this year. “I literally just felt like I made the biggest swing of my life, seriously. And then it gets taken away. We needed three outs, and we didn't get it done.”
Bazzana nonetheless enjoyed multiple impactful moments on the world stage. Along with his pair of clutch swings, Australia and Japan’s close matchup was played in front of Japan’s Emperor Naruhito. It marked the first time since 1966 that Japan’s sitting emperor attended a professional baseball game.
Bazzana relished his overall experience and getting to play in such an incredible environment.
“You can't really explain those tournament games in those kinds of environments,” Bazzana said. “They’re special, and I wish every game we ever played felt like that with that many fans and that much on the line each pitch.”
Bazzana played in three Cactus League games before he left Arizona for the Classic. Last year marked his first professional season, though he was limited to just 84 games while he missed time with a right oblique strain and a left oblique issue.
While Bazzana is expected to open the 2026 season with Triple-A Columbus, he could push his way to the Major Leagues this summer. In the meantime, the Guardians are looking forward to watching him work over the next few weeks, certainly with his experience playing on the Classic stage.
COMPLETE GUARDIANS PROSPECT COVERAGE
“I just think that experience in itself for Travis could be huge,” manager Stephen Vogt said. “He's never really played in front of crowds like that. Getting the pressures of representing your country and doing all that and performing the way he did, I think that could go a long way for him.
“We just want to see him get reacclimated, get back out there, and we want to watch him play for as long as he's with us.”
Including Friday, the Guardians have nine Cactus League games remaining, along with a pair of exhibition contests. He’s hoping to put together good performances the rest of the way and maintain good health heading into the regular season.
Bazzana’s stint with Australia could even provide a launching point into what may be a memorable season for him.
“I just want to get back into the swing of things,” he said, “and hopefully bring the energy like that tournament brings out of you and have that throughout the rest of spring and into the season.
“... Those things can provide a spark. I always have a spark, but that was a crazy emotion. So hopefully, just keep bringing that love to the game throughout.”