Bazzana, Messick, Smith to rep Guards as first-time All-Stars

CLEVELAND -- The steadiness provided by second baseman Travis Bazzana, starter Parker Messick and closer Cade Smith has been vital to the Guardians sitting atop the AL Central for the bulk of the 2026 season. That clearly has not been lost upon their peers across the Majors.

Bazzana, Messick and Smith were named to the 2026 MLB All-Star Game on Saturday after being selected through player balloting. Each is headed to the Midsummer Classic for the first time, and Cleveland will have multiple representatives for the 10th consecutive All-Star Game.

“These three guys are consistent and answer it just about every time,” manager Stephen Vogt said before the Guardians' 3-1 loss to the White Sox on Saturday night. “It's a testament to who they are as people, as workers. They keep themselves ready to be consistent, and that's what it takes.”

That consistency has been especially impressive this season given Bazzana and Messick are rookies and Smith is in his first full campaign as a closer. He established himself as a dominant setup man his first two big league campaigns. Entering Saturday:

• Bazzana was slashing .255/.347/.420 with 12 doubles, seven homers and 27 RBIs in 57 games, which included 30 starts hitting leadoff.

• Messick had a 2.85 ERA and 106 strikeouts with 29 walks in 101 innings over 17 starts.

• Smith led MLB with 26 saves. He had a 2.97 ERA with 57 strikeouts and 10 walks in 39 1/3 innings over 37 appearances. He initially took over the closer role last summer after Emmanuel Clase went on leave.

Bazzana (who made his MLB debut on April 28) and Messick (who made seven starts in 2025, including his Aug. 20 debut) are just the fourth and fifth rookies in Cleveland franchise history to earn an All-Star nod. They joined lefty Herb Score (1955), Dick Stigman (‘60) and catcher Sandy Alomar Jr. (‘90).

The Guardians are also just the fifth team to send multiple rookies to an All-Star Game, following the 1951 White Sox (Jim Busby and Minnie Minoso); the ‘60 Orioles (Chuck Estrada, Jim Gentile and Ron Hansen); the 2008 Cubs (Kosuke Fukudome and Geovany Soto); and the ‘14 Yankees (Dellin Betances and Masahiro Tanaka).

Bazzana said he was “a little speechless,” and didn’t expect to be selected.

“It puts perspective on things,” Bazzana said of being player-elected. “I do set high expectations for myself. I'm going to continue to work. I think there's a lot left that I can bring to the team on the field moving forward. It's cool that I am a performer and a good second baseman in the American League when I feel like there's a lot left to work on and to continue to bring out on a more daily basis.

“Obviously, a good perspective to give to myself when I sometimes don't give myself grace.”

Travis Bazzana, 2B
• Previous All-Star appearances: First
• Something to know: Bazzana is the fourth Australian-born player to be named an All-Star, joining relievers Grant Balfour (2013) and Liam Hendricks (2019, 2021 and 2022), and outfielder Dave Nilsson (1999). Bazzana knows each of them personally. In fact, Nilsson was his manager with Team Australia at the 2026 World Baseball Classic.

“That's kind of one of the best parts about the Australian baseball community, is that it's tight,” Bazzana said. “Hopefully, we continue to have more All-Stars and more players that believe they can go and do really amazing things in MLB.”

Cade Smith, CL
• Previous All-Star appearances: First
• Something to know: When he was named an All-Star, Smith was on pace for 47 saves. That would match the Cleveland single-season franchise record that Clase set in 2024.

“He's been one of the best closers in the game in his first year closing,” Vogt said. “To me, this should be his third All-Star Game with how he's pitched. Cade’s the hardest worker I've ever seen. His routines are dialed. He takes the ball selflessly.”

Parker Messick, LHP
• Previous All-Star appearances: First
• Something to know: Messick is the first left-handed Cleveland starter to be named an All-Star since Cliff Lee in 2008.

In franchise history, Messick's 2.75 ERA is the lowest by a pitcher through 25 career starts since Jim Perry (2.70) from 1959-60.

“I was in high school, going over to my buddy's house watching the Home Run Derby and watching the All-Star Game,” Messick said. “I feel like that was yesterday. I felt like that was so far away. Now that it's here, just thank the Lord that I'm in this position. All glory and honor to him.”