Bazzana, 21, has played for Team Australia at the WBSC U-18 Baseball World Cup 2019 and the WBSC U-23 Baseball World Cup 2022, in addition to playing for Oregon State over the past three years.
The Cleveland Guardians, who have the best record in American League before the All-Star Game, used their selection to draft Bazzana, who in addition to being the first Australian to be picked in the first two rounds of a draft completely, is the first second baseman to ever be the first pick.
Speaking to MLB Network, Bazzana said: “It means a lot. It is hard to put into words but it means everything. I’m just stoked and I’m really happy to be with the people I’m with right now.
“I see a lot of opportunities to make an impact on a lot of baseball players and people back home and hopefully change the narrative for baseball. But just giving belief to players back home that they can do great things in the US and pursue a Major League dream and hopefully this is a step towards that.
“The premise of everything I want to achieve is I want to make Australia a powerhouse in baseball. It’s not going to come from me, but I want to start that trend.”
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