The Cleveland Guardians sign No. 1 draft pick Travis Bazzana
The Cleveland Guardians have reached an agreement with second baseman Travis Bazzana, the top pick in the recent Major League Baseball draft. According to Jim Callis of MLB.com, Bazzana will receive an $8.95 million signing bonus, which is below the $10.57 million slot value for the first pick.
In other draft news, the Cincinnati Reds have reportedly signed right-hander Chase Burns, the No. 2 pick, to a $9.25 million deal. This matches the amount agreed upon by third baseman/outfielder Charlie Condon, the No. 3 pick, with the Colorado Rockies.
Once finalized, Burns and Condon’s contracts will set a new record for the highest signing bonus in draft history. Here’s a look at the updated top 10 all-time highest signing bonuses:
- Chase Burns, 2024, Reds, $9.25 million
- Charlie Condon, 2024, Rockies, $9.25 million
- Paul Skenes, 2023, Pirates, $9.2 million
- Dylan Crews, 2023, Nationals, $9 million
- Travis Bazzana, 2024, Guardians, $8.95 million
- Spencer Torkelson, 2020, Tigers, $8.42 million
- Jackson Holliday, 2022, Orioles, $8.19 million
- Druw Jones, 2022, Diamondbacks, $8.19 million
- Adley Rutschman, 2019, Orioles, $8.10 million
- Jack Leiter, 2021, Rangers, $7.92 million
Prior to the draft, CBS Sports ranked Bazzana as the second-best prospect in the class. The Guardians were reportedly very interested in Bazzana, and he lived up to expectations with an impressive performance. Bazzana’s stats included a .416 batting average, 28 home runs, 16 stolen bases, and a remarkable 40 more walks than strikeouts. Bazzana is praised for his strength, speed, plate discipline, and ability to make solid contact. He is considered a top contender for the No. 1 spot, which would make him the first second baseman ever selected as the top pick.
As of now, Oakland Athletics first baseman Nick Kurtz, the No. 4 pick, remains the highest unsigned player from this year’s draft.
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