Guardians' Travis Bazzana Shows Off Slugging Potential vs. Cy Young Winner

Top prospect Bazzana homers twice, including a grand slam, against Giants in spring training

Mar. 22, 2026 at 2:06am

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Cleveland Guardians top prospect Travis Bazzana, the 2024 first-overall draft pick, had a monster day at the plate in a spring training game against the San Francisco Giants, going 3-for-4 with two home runs, including a grand slam, and driving in five runs. Bazzana's first homer came against 2021 American League Cy Young Award winner Robbie Ray.

Why it matters

Bazzana, MLB Pipeline's No. 20 overall prospect for 2026, is not expected to make the Guardians' Opening Day roster, but his strong spring training performance shows he could be a valuable addition to the team's lineup at some point this season. Bazzana and fellow 2024 first-round pick Konnor Griffin of the Pittsburgh Pirates, the No. 1 overall prospect, will likely be compared throughout their careers.

The details

Bazzana, a 23-year-old lefty-swinging infielder, now has eight hits in 21 spring training at-bats, good for a .381 batting average, .435 on-base percentage, and 1.292 OPS. He also has three home runs and 11 RBIs in spring training, not including a home run he hit for Team Australia in the World Baseball Classic. While Bazzana's minor league numbers so far (.243 batting average, 12 home runs, 51 RBIs) don't match Griffin's (.333 batting average, 21 home runs, 94 RBIs), the Guardians prospect dealt with an oblique injury in 2025 that may have impacted his production.

  • The Guardians have already confirmed that Bazzana won't be in the majors to start the 2026 season.
  • Bazzana's monster performance came in Cleveland's 10-7 spring training loss to the San Francisco Giants on Saturday, March 22, 2026.

The players

Travis Bazzana

A 23-year-old infielder and the Cleveland Guardians' top prospect, selected first overall in the 2024 MLB draft.

Robbie Ray

The 2021 American League Cy Young Award winner, who Bazzana hit a home run against during the spring training game.

Konnor Griffin

The Pittsburgh Pirates' top prospect, selected eighth overall in the 2024 MLB draft, who is also starting the 2026 season in the minors.

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What’s next

If Bazzana carries over his strong spring training performance into the minor league season, he could be a strong addition to Cleveland's lineup at some point in 2026.

The takeaway

Bazzana's impressive spring training showing, including homering off a Cy Young winner, demonstrates his slugging potential and why he is considered one of the top prospects in baseball, even though he will start the 2026 season in the minors alongside fellow 2024 first-round pick Konnor Griffin.