From World Classic Hero to MLB Home Run: Bazzana’s Fast Rise

Bazzana goes deep for first career MLB homer  

Australian rookie Travis Bazzana launched his maiden MLB homer in Cleveland’s win over Minnesota, just weeks after starring for Australia at the Baseball World Classic.

The No. 1 pick from the 2024 MLB draft hit his first major league home run on Saturday, extending Cleveland’s lead over the Twins with a 102.3 mph shot...

Australian rookie Travis Bazzana hit his first MLB home run, extending Cleveland’s advantage from 2-0 to 4-0 in the bottom of the first against the Minnesota Twins on Saturday morning.

The 2024 MLB draft’s first overall pick debuted on April 28 and has now recorded hits in five of his last six outings for the Guardians. His homer to center-right field was his fifth career run.

The 23-year-old second baseman reached the majors after playing for AA affiliate Akron RubberDucks, where he hit four home runs and drove in 17 runs across 34 games.

Statcast clocked Bazzana’s first homer at a swing speed of 111 kph and an exit velocity of 163.7 kph.

TRAVIS BAZZANA'S FIRST MLB HOMER 🚨 pic.twitter.com/nR0A6OhOIA

— MLB (@MLB) May 8, 2026

The homer follows a standout showing at the Baseball World Classic just weeks ago. Bazzana finished the tournament batting .188, but delivered a game-winning performance against Chinese Taipei that featured a massive drive over deep right field.

Earlier this month he also notched his first MLB hit, a two-RBI knock that Guardians manager Stephen Vogt called “a huge spot for us to extend the lead.”

Travis Bazzana knew he got every stitch of this ball. #WorldBaseballClassic pic.twitter.com/QItsmf9VGc

— World Baseball Classic (@WBCBaseball) March 5, 2026