The Cleveland Guardians plan to promote Travis Bazzana, their historic first overall draft selection from 2024, to the major league roster for Tuesday’s matchup against the Tampa Bay Rays at home.
Multiple reports indicate that rookie Juan Brito, who had been starting at second base in five of the team’s previous seven contests, will be sent down to Triple-A Columbus to make room for Bazzana’s arrival.
The 23-year-old from Sydney, Australia, has compiled impressive statistics during his 24-game stint with Columbus, posting a .287 batting average along with two home runs and 10 runs batted in. His offensive production includes 15 extra-base hits and 21 walks, resulting in a .511 slugging percentage and .933 OPS.
After completing his college career at Oregon State from 2022-24, Bazzana moved swiftly through Cleveland’s farm system in 2025. However, oblique muscle injuries limited his playing time during the summer months, restricting him to just 26 appearances with Columbus.
Bazzana holds the distinction of being Cleveland’s first-ever top overall draft pick in franchise history. The organization secured this coveted selection despite having only a 2% probability of winning the draft lottery in December 2023.
Meanwhile, Brito has struggled at the plate, managing just a .176 batting average with no home runs and three RBIs across 51 at-bats. The 24-year-old player also sat out Monday’s 3-2 defeat to the Rays and has committed four defensive errors this season.
