Guardians prospect Travis Bazzana to compete in World Baseball Classic
The Columbus Clippers middle infielder will compete prior to the 2026 campaign
With just three months remaining until the 2026 World Baseball Classic, Cleveland Guardians fans received exciting news as one of their own is set to compete on baseball’s international stage.
Middle infielder and top Guardians prospect Travis Bazzana will represent his home country of Australia when the tournament begins in March 2026. Bazzana will be part of one of 20 nations competing in the event, which runs from March 4 through March 17.
The 23-year-old Hornsby, Australia native was selected first overall by the Guardians in the 2024 MLB Draft following a standout collegiate career at Oregon State University. In his first professional season, Bazzana appeared in 51 games with the Akron RubberDucks, Cleveland’s Double-A affiliate. During his time in Northeast Ohio, he posted a .256 batting average, hit five home runs, and drove in 23 runs. He also showcased his speed on the basepaths, stealing nine bases while being caught just once.
Later in the season, Bazzana earned a promotion to Triple-A Columbus, where he suited up for the Clippers in 26 contests. His production remained consistent at the higher level, further fueling excitement among Guardians fans about his future at the big-league level.
Australia will open its World Baseball Classic campaign on March 4 against Chinese Taipei at the Tokyo Dome in Tokyo, Japan, with Bazzana poised to play a key role for the Aussies on the global stage.