WATCH: Travis Bazzana’s priceless reaction after being selected as the No.1 overall pick in MLB Draft
Oregon State's Travis Bazzana went first overall to the Cleveland Guardians in the ongoing 2024 MLB Draft at the Cowtown Coliseum in Fort Worth, Texas. As soon as the announcement was made, Bazzana, who was watching with his parents and supporters, was elated to finally be able to achieve his dream and become the first Australian to be picked in the first round.
Upon learning, Bazzana's mom started jumping, while the second baseman also stood up to hug his mom and dad, Gary, who once played for North Clubs in Lismore.
Travis Bazzana, a Sydney native, was born in a baseball-organized environment. His parents relocated to Wahroonga on Sydney's upper north shore after marrying.
Bazzana, the youngest of the three kids, had a love for baseball from an early age. He joined one of the best baseball clubs in Australia, the Stealers Baseball and Softball T-Ball Program in Sydney. He played for the Sydney Blue Sox in the Australian Baseball League.
Former Seattle Mariners pitcher Ryan Rowland-Smith helped him land a scholarship with the Oregon State to play college baseball and as the rest of us know, he was picked first overall on Sunday by the Guardians.
Travis Bazzana wants to inspire young Australian baseball players
During an interview with Corvallis Knights manager Brooke Knight, Bazzana shared his feelings ahead of Sunday's draft.
"I just see it as an opportunity getting to a level that I want to get to, playing in the Major Leagues, with those kind of things that I could go out and progress to do," Bazzana said.
He wants to be a role model for fellow Australian baseball players and guide them in the best way possible.
"I can provide resources, provide advice, and then just like be someone for kids to look up to. Be a position player that people can look up to and hopefully, people start to set their goals and expectations a little higher out of Australia," he added.
The second baseman from Oregon State has a bright future ahead as Travis Bazzana looks to join the Guardians system and break records as he did for the Beavers.