Travis Bazzana becomes first Australian to be No.1 pick in MLB draft

It had been widely tipped but it took his name being read out on Monday morning for Travis Bazzana to make Australian sporting history.

Travis Bazzana was the No.1 pick in the MLB draft. Picture: Oregon State

Travis Bazzana has become an instant millionaire after making Australian sporting history as the No.1 pick in the Major League Baseball draft.

The 21-year-old left-handed batter from Sydney, who has been a star with the Oregon State University, is the first Australian player to be taken in the first round of the draft

He was picked up by the Cleveland Guardians and is set to earn up to $15m.

“It means a lot. It is hard to put into words but it means everything. I’m just stoked and I’m really happy to be with the people I’m with right now,” Bazzana said during a live cross after his name was called.

“I see a lot of opportunities to make an impact on a lot of baseball players and people back home and hopefully change the narrative for baseball.

THE MOMENT TRAVIS BAZZANA GOES NO. 1! ⚾️

The Aussie 2B is heading to Cleveland after the Guardians take him with the first pick of the 2024 MLB Draft! 🇦🇺

Watch the MLB Draft live on ESPN 2! 📺

Watch our chat with Travis here! https://t.co/Xo2uCP3Bogpic.twitter.com/VXT4TyLFue

— ESPN Australia & NZ (@ESPNAusNZ) July 14, 2024

“But just giving belief to players back home that they can do great things in the US and pursue a Major League dream and hopefully this is a step towards that.”

There have been 38 Australian players to make it to the Majors, with Bazzana becoming the latest.

But of those 38, a third were pitchers, while Bazzana, a second-baseman and hitter, is considered an “everyday player” – one who can be rolled out game after game.

Cleveland had the top pick for the first time since the draft began in 1965 and chose Bazzana after a standout career at Oregon State, where he became the all-time leader in home runs, stolen bases, runs scored, doubles, hits and walks.

Despite being the top pick, however, it’s unclear whether Bazzana will walk straight into the MLB line-up.

Draftees often head into their new team’s minor league system, where they play at lower levels, graduating up over time until they are called up to the Major League team.

No.1 draft pick Travis Bazzana has created Australian sporting history. Picture: Moreland/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

Originally published as Travis Bazzana becomes first Australian to be No.1 pick in MLB draft