Australian infielder Travis Bazzana was selected as the top pick in Major League Baseball’s amateur draft by the Cleveland Guardians. Bazzana, a versatile athlete who transitioned from cricket, rugby, and soccer to baseball, showcased an impressive performance at Oregon State by batting .407 with 28 home runs and 66 RBIs this season. The slot value for this year’s top pick was $10,570,600 as per the bonus pools system implemented in 2012.
Securing the first overall pick for the first time since the draft’s inception in 1965, Cleveland won the opportunity through a weighted lottery held in December. This approach aims to prevent teams from intentionally performing poorly to attain top draft picks by disposing of experienced players, as outlined in a provision of a collective bargaining agreement.
The Cincinnati Reds made their move by selecting Wake Forest pitcher Chase Burns as the second pick. Burns, a 21-year-old right-hander, maintained an impressive record of 10-1 with a 2.70 ERA, 191 strikeouts, and 30 walks across 100 innings during 16 starts in the season.
Georgia’s third baseman Charlie Condon was chosen by the Colorado Rockies as the third pick. Known for leading the NCAA with a .433 batting average and 37 home runs, the 6-foot-6 Condon made a significant impact during his time in college baseball and earned the Golden Spikes Award as the top amateur player.
The draft selections for the first 74 picks took place at the Cowtown Coliseum on Sunday, with the final rounds scheduled for Monday and Tuesday. Commissioner Rob Manfred faced jeers from approximately 2,000 fans in attendance as he appeared on stage during the event.
