Batting average be damned, Travis Bazzana off to solid start to career

CLEVELAND — Travis Bazzana entered Tuesday batting only .211 (8-for-38) with a home run and six RBIs over the first 12 games of his major league career. Yet, he's still drawing rave reviews. "He's an animal," starting pitcher Parker Messick said of the Australian-born Bazzana, who has been in the lineup for 13 straight games since his promotion from Triple-A Columbus on April 28. "He loves the game of baseball. He takes it very seriously every at-bat. Every time he's on first base, every play in the infield, he's locked in. There's never a time where you'll catch him not playing the game hard. "It's really fun to be his teammate. He's one of those guys that is super emotional when he gets a big swing. It's kind of fun for me because I'm the same way on the mound. If I get a big punch out, I'm yelling and he's the same way as a hitter and it's something that I respect a lot about him. Love having him as a teammate, love watching the way he plays." Bazzana, Cleveland's first top overall draft pick in 2024, doesn't know any other way. "I love the game and I care. I play with passion. I want to play with fire," he said. "It's just how I've kind of always been and I love that (Messick) would describe me that way." After going 0-for-9 in his first three games, Bazzana had collected at least a hit in nine of his last 11 games through Monday. And though his batting average is low, he owned a .423 on-base percentage and was averaging a walk per game. When he is on base, he brings an added dimension, already stealing seven bases without being caught through Monday. Bazzana, who is the only player in MLB history to hit a homer, walk eight or more times and steal seven or more bases in his first 10 games, has already batted in four spots in the order (fifth through eighth) since arriving in Cleveland. "His at-bat quality has been so good," bench coach Tony Arnerich said. "He's not afraid to take a walk and what he does on the bases. His at-bat quality, you feel comfortable putting him anywhere in the lineup and you know you're going to get a good at-bat, and he can get on base. "And once he's on base, he's a really good (heads up) player baserunning and he can steal second and all the sudden he's in scoring position, and he's shown he can steal third. He's pretty exciting to watch, so we'll continue to see him progress and as long as he stays disciplined to his approach, I think he's going to stick (in the majors)." Bazzana hasn't been discouraged by his meager hit total. "I'm in a good place offensively and just sometimes balls go at guys and just got to stick with it, stay healthy and keep finding my ball flight and I'll be good," he said. "Obviously trying to get better each day and you don't want to be getting out. I was doing a lot of things I can control and finding my best ball flight and just winning as many at-bats as possible, and that's going to keep getting better. But I felt good about how I've gone about my at-bats so far. Over time, if I do the things right, I'll get good results." Back in business Manager Stephen Vogt returned to the dugout after missing two games with a respiratory illness. He bypassed his pregame media session in favor of Arnerich, who filled in for him as manager Sunday and Monday. "There's a presence to him and an energy and people love being around him," Arnerich said. "He exudes confidence, he exudes positivity and optimism, so anytime he's around the room brightens up. To have him back is huge. The guys love him. Our staff, we kind of just revolve around him and feed off him. And, so, to have him back is awesome." Contact Chris Assenheimer at (440) 329-7136 or cassenheimer@chroniclet.com. Like him on Facebook and follow him on X @CAwesomeheimer.